Maddock: Tax Relief May Not Happen This Year

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/29/2026) Both political parties in the Michigan House have a property tax relief plan. The GOP passed theirs without Democratic support, and the Democrats unveiled their blueprint, which the R's don't buy because it does not include all taxpayers.

So, Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), the vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, will there be tax relief this session?

"It may not happen this session, but you know what we're doing? We're priming the pump for our next governor, and everyone is going to see what we're capable of doing," Maddock told the Off the Record panel.

Translated, does that mean it is DOA or dead on arrival?

"I don't know for sure," he explained, while adding, either way, he thinks his party is on the right message track in this political year.

"I think our messaging is spot on. I think the voters are seeing that Republicans are serious about doing this," and with the House D's on the record as having voted no on the relief plan for every citizen who owns a home, is he ready to use that vote against the D's?

"Absolutely," he said. "Absolutely. One hundred percent. ... Everyone needs to know that the Democrats don't want property tax relief. We do."

But, interestingly, House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) doesn't want the Democrats to know that option is on the table.

During a TV-6 Zoom two weeks ago, he was asked the same question about using the overwhelming no vote in swing districts against vulnerable Democrats.

He admonished the reporter to keep the lid on that storyline.

"I don't want you to show that video (of a campaign commercial) because that could take away a major campaign issue for us," he revealed.

But wasn't it pretty obvious he would do that to help maintain House control?

Now, he is laughing and ducking for cover, saying, "We're going to evaluate all options."

The Speaker pointed out at the time that it didn't much matter what the content of the House plan was because his goal was to get something out of his chamber to begin the negotiating process with Senate Democrats and the governor to "find balance" on the issue.

Maddock reported he is open to a compromise, "always. Of course."

But is that going to happen, he was asked. "I'm optimistic."

On a sidebar issue regarding this week's gig on the island with what he calls "the Democratic Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce," he was asked for his take on this annual gathering.

He says the majority of the conversation at the three or four conferences he has attended does not focus on public policy but rather, "95% of the conversations are about nonprofits and people who are organizing nonprofits, and they are scheming to get taxpayers' dollars for nonprofits. That's what the whole conversation is about."

See his OTR remarks at wkar.org.