Michele Hoitenga

Michigan State Senator Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, on Wednesday said no to legislation to a proposed law that would remove voter’s right to decide on certain special assessments for inland lake districts.

“While there is a real need to address the issues caused by the impact of weather on fluctuating lake levels, this legislation goes too far by circumventing the voice of the voters living in these special assessment districts,” said Hoitenga in a press release Wednesday. “There are many inland lake communities across northern lower Michigan and the people, not bureaucrats, should have the final say on these special tax assessments.”

Senate Bill 662 seeks to amend the definition of a normal inland lake level and the process for financing a “normal level project,” removing voter approval for special assessment districts of $600,000 or less.