Legislation that would ease the financial burden of cleaning up brownfield sites has been approved by the Michigan House.
The bills would let developers keep a portion of taxes after they redevelop a brownfield site. The taxes would be collected from businesses and residents moving into the site.
The bills passed the Republican-led House with bipartisan support Thursday after criticism from some lawmakers, who called it crony capitalism. The main bill passed 85-22.
Republican Rep. Martin Howrylak of Troy calls the legislation a transfer of wealth from taxpayers to special interests groups.
The legislation passed the GOP-controlled Senate in February and goes back to that chamber for a final vote.
A brownfield site is an area with environmental hazards that must be cleaned up before it can be developed.
