Whitsett Returns For First Time Since August, Gives GOP Property Tax Vote

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/20/2026) After nearly eight hours of session, lawmakers, staff members and reporters stared at the House voting board, waiting to see which legislator would give Republicans the vote they needed to pass their property tax reform package.

“Representative Whitsett votes,” Speaker Pro Tem Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville) said, followed by a cacophony of gasps as Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) appeared near the podium, flashing a thumbs up, marking her first appearance on the House floor since Aug. 26, 2025.

The Republicans had their vote. House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), with Whitsett at his side, was grinning ear to ear.

There were boos. There were cheers. There were hugs between Whitsett and Republicans. Even Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) appeared surprised, giving the Speaker a handshake in recognition for a political move well played.

Hall had put on a show.

The House voted 57-44 on Wednesday to pass the Republican property tax reform package, dubbed HELP UP — Hall Effectively Lowering Property Taxes and Utility Payments — with Whitsett joining Republicans to support the plan and Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) breaking from her caucus to vote no.

This came as the House Government Operations Committee on Wednesday swiftly advanced the package, despite it not being on the agenda.

The package, made up of HB 5872 through HB 5879 , would eliminate the property tax “pop-up” when property changes hands, repeal the six-mill State Education Tax, repeal the real estate transfer tax and exempt remaining personal property taxes.

The House Fiscal Agency estimated the package would have major implications for the School Aid Fund, including a $3.1 billion reduction in Fiscal Year 2027 and $3.2 billion reduction in FY 2028 from repealing the six-mill State Education Tax under HB 5873 . Repealing the state real estate transfer tax under HB 5874 would reduce the fund by another estimated $475 million in FY ’27 and $488.3 million in FY ’28.

The personal property tax bills, HB 5878 and HB 5879 , would reduce combined state and local property taxes by roughly $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion, including $175 million to $200 million from the School Aid Fund, according to HFA. Those bills would also increase School Aid Fund costs by about $400 million to $450 million if foundation allowances were maintained.

The bills are tied to HB 5880, which would create excise tax and deposit revenue into a new Property Tax Savings Reimbursement Fund. However, that bill has not yet moved, meaning the broader package cannot take effect unless the replacement revenue piece also passes.

Hall said that between the significant property tax cuts and the utility bill savings, the average Michigander would save around $1,200 a year. He also emphasized that it was a “great moment” to have Whitsett join him.

“I think the people in Detroit are happy they have at least one representative that's trying to save them some money these days, so thanks for that, Karen,” Hall said.

Whitsett said she came to Lansing because reducing property taxes was important to Detroit residents and people seeking immediate relief. She added that she makes sure she exercises her vote “when it makes sense.”

“My vote is always in the power of my vote,” Whitsett said. “It was God-led, so that is absolutely why I made sure I was here. You pray on it and do what's right, and what God says. And Jesus leads.”

Hall denied promising Whitsett anything in exchange for her vote, saying there was “no conversation about anything other than property tax." He said his team had stayed in communication with her and that she agreed the plan would save people in Detroit money on the taxes and utility bills.

“I always knew she'd be back,” Hall said. “I knew she'd be back when we were working on something really important, when the people of Michigan needed her to help them save money. And I don't think that's the last time you'll see her.”

The day's lone Republican no vote came from Greene, who said in a statement that while she supports "real, responsible property tax relief,” she could not support a package that creates uncertainty for local governments, schools and essential services.

“This package is being sold as property tax relief, but when you read the bills, it is much more complicated than that," Greene said. “It repeals existing revenue sources, changes how taxable value works when homes are sold, eliminates remaining personal property taxes, and creates a new 6 percent tax on services to try to backfill the losses. That is not simply tax relief. That is a tax shift.”

Greene was concerned the replacement revenue mechanism would not keep up with local government losses, especially because HB 5880 would put schools first and municipalities second in line for reimbursements if the fund falls short.

“That is not a guarantee. That is a risk,” Greene said.

Hall said the services tax proposal, which he repeatedly describes as a “luxury tax,” was intentionally being held back for negotiations with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Democrats. He said the House wants to work with the Treasury Department to make sure the final replacement revenue plan is revenue-neutral and protects schools and local governments.

He pointed to potential taxes on lobbyists, robocalls, telemarketers, debt collectors, limousines and private jets, while saying the details still need to be negotiated.

“You’re not going to get a deal on this property tax reform unless you have a balanced deal in a divided government with a Democrat governor and a Democrat Senate,” Hall said.

House Democrats pushed back that the package would amount to a major tax cut without a clear replacement revenue plan, leaving schools, local governments and residents vulnerable to the fallout.

Rep. Stephen Wooden (D-Grand Rapids) said Republicans were trying to “spin a massive tax cut for the rich” as relief for every day residents, but argued any savings would be eaten up elsewhere if local services are cut.

Any property tax break, he said, would not go far if residents end up paying more for car repairs because roads deteriorate, higher home insurance because public safety is underfunded or private tutoring because schools are strained.

"This package is irresponsible, guts crucial services that everyday Michiganders deserve," Wooden said. “And ultimately, it is tied to this concept of a plan, when it comes to revenue replacement, that we still have not seen details for.”

Wooden said Democrats are open to targeted property tax relief, pointing to tax cuts passed under the former Democratic trifecta that he said were aimed at seniors and working families without cutting schools or basic services. But he said the House Republican proposal goes much further by creating a multibillion-dollar revenue hole before lawmakers have seen a full replacement plan.

He also questioned whether Hall's proposed “luxury tax” on services could realistically cover the cost of the package.

“I struggle to see how we’re going to find $5 billion in luxury services to tax in the state to make up for that loss,” Wooden said.

Without more detail, Wooden said, the proposal could become a pathway toward expanding taxes on services used by more than just wealthy residents. He said some services described as “luxury” could still touch every day Michiganders, including travel or vacation-related services.

“This package does not help everyday Michigan,” Wooden said. “It puts their services at risk, and it puts them at risk to higher taxes.”

The state is already facing budget pressure from reduced federal funding and economic uncertainty, Wooden said, making it harder to absorb a large property tax cut.

“It’s going to be hard enough to find a billion dollars in the budget,” Wooden said. “Try doing that with another $5 billion hole because of this property tax plan. I just don’t see the math backing it."