State Rep. Mike Hoadley this week voted to advance legislation he sponsored that is designed to bring financial relief to seniors, low-income residents and disabled individuals living in the community.

House Bills 4079 and 4080 would reinstate Michigan’s special assessment deferment program, which ended in 2020. The deferral would provide needed tax relief to individuals who qualify, many of whom are living on fixed incomes. The need for a fix has been highlighted by the citizens of Midland and Gladwin counties being asked to cover millions of dollars in damages to the local dam infrastructure, which sustained significant damage due to heavy rainfall in 2020.

“These people have already suffered enough,” said Hoadley, R-Au Gres. “Homes have been destroyed, and property values have plummeted. Recovery for the community has been a long and painful process. Many of these residents would benefit significantly from a deferral, and I am going to provide that relief. This is going to provide critical help to people who really need it.”

Hoadley went on to praise the bipartisan support for the effort.

“Catastrophic structural failures in May of 2020 caused roughly $175 million in damages to over 2,000 structures in areas of Midland and Gladwin counties. This legislation reinstates Michigan’s special assessment deferment program. No senior citizen should lose their home over costs they can’t afford due to situations out of their control.”

House Bills 4079 and 4080 passed by votes of 98-10 and 98-10 on Thursday. Both bills now await further action in the state Senate.