Michigan Senate Democrats Issue Statements on Departure of Pulte Homes from Michigan

LANSING – June 3, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Several members of the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statements on the announcement yesterday by PulteGroup that they are moving its headquarters from Bloomfield Hills to Atlanta, Georgia in 2014. PulteGroup is one of the nation’s largest home building companies. They have been based in the Detroit area since 1950 and currently have about 380 employees there.

“News of PulteGroup’s departure from Michigan confirms what we’ve been saying all along,” said Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor). “Businesses don’t choose their location based on ‘Right to Work’ laws or corporate tax handouts. Businesses desire an educated workforce, a solid infrastructure, great schools, and police who come when you call – all of which has been sacrificed by the Snyder Administration over the past two years.”

“Governor Snyder told us that the lowering of taxes for corporations and the enactment of Right to Work legislation would bring businesses to Michigan,” said State Senator Morris Hood III (D- Detroit). “Instead we see one of the biggest home builders in the country send its operations packing. The Governor’s policies have put the squeeze on children, working families and seniors, but have done nothing to improve our economy.”

PulteGroup cited reasons for leaving the state including the need to “pursue a strategy that better fits with the long-term growth trends for our company and industry.” Senate Democrats believe that PulteGroup’s departure and their reasons for leaving call into question Governor Snyder’s policies and whether they are a deterrent to businesses and long-term economic growth rather than an attraction.

“This is sad news for the state of Michigan and a significant blow to Governor Snyder’s attempts to curry favor with big businesses at the expense of all others,” said Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland). “After cutting business taxes at the expense of our schools, our families and our seniors and passing anti-worker legislation at the behest of special interests, we are still hearing more news about businesses leaving Michigan than coming here. It’s clear, at this point, that Snyder’s policy of cutting corporate taxes to retain and attract jobs is a complete failure.”