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From the perspective of General Motors Corp., some positive achievements came out of a political tussle between Troy and Warren that held up a $91 million taxbreak package for the GM Technical Center.
Warren City Council passed an abatement package on GM's $1 billion reinvestment plan last Tuesday with a series of 8-1 votes. Councilman Michael Wiecek cast the dissenting votes.
The vote was held up for several months when Troy City Council exercised a seldom-used provision of the state's 1974 tax-abatement legislation. Called an exit visa, the provision gave cities facing a job loss veto power over proposed abatements.
The outcry that followed Troy's action led to an amendment to the state law eliminating the exit-visa provision. It was signed by Gov. John Engler on Oct. 18.
"It was unfortunate, but I think that it also did us a favor because it helped us remove an impediment," said Gerry Holmes, GM's director of media relations, facilities and community impact. "It brought attention to a state law that could further restrict economic development in the state."
Even Troy...