Irwin and Rutledge encourage residents to get answers on tax changes at town hall

The event is intended to help community members find out more about the changes, connect with resources that might be helpful as they prepare for the new tax system, and share their thoughts on the new tax burden imposed on Michigan families, according to a news release.

The two lawmakers will be joined by Mitch Bean of Great Lakes Economic Consulting and Felicia Wasson of the American Association of Retired Persons of Michigan.

The town hall starts at 6 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College's Morris Lawrence Building at 4800 E. Huron River Drive.

The state budget cuts approved by the Republican-led Legislature — partly to close a $1.4 billion deficit and partly to finance $1.8 billion in tax breaks for businesses — negatively impacted schools, universities, cities, townships, counties and low-income wage earners, among other groups, while raising pension taxes for senior citizens.

Those changes angered Democrats, but Republicans argue while there's some pain, the result of the changes — including elimination of the Michigan Business Tax — is a state budget that is fiscally sound and that's going to be more attractive to businesses that can bring jobs.

• Click here to read an article from MLive on the impacts of the tax reforms on individual taxpayers

From the article: "Dozens of changes face taxpayers following reforms lawmakers adopted this year. They add up to this: Individuals should be prepared to cough up more income tax as they carry much of the burden previously shouldered by businesses."

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.