Detroit Evening Report: Activists want Michigan AG Nessel’s input on reimbursement for overtaxed Detroit homeowners

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has been asked to weigh in on whether Detroit homeowners who were overtaxed by the city should be eligible for partial refunds.

The Detroit News reports The Coalition for Property Tax Justice was joined on Zoom by U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib and Detroit City Council president Mary Sheffield, requesting Nessel’s office offer an opinion about what state law says about reimbursing the city’s property tax payers.

“[City of Detroit] Corporation Counsel is making a specific statement that state law is preventing compensation for over taxation. … They can’t hide behind a faulty interpretation of the law,” said Bernadette Atuahene, an attorney and coalition member. “Since 2009, 1 in 3 properties have been taken from the property tax crisis and we are looking for compensation.”

The AG’s office says it is reviewing the request but that the concerns raised by the coalition do not fall within the attorney general’s jurisdiction.

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Author

  • Sascha Raiyn
    Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio.