Citizens Research Council of Michigan serves to promote the development of informed public policy at all levels of Michigan government through the delivery of factual, unbiased analysis of the most critical issues pertinent to state and local government.
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FEATURED ARTICLES | Mission Critical Research
At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-01 will ask voters whether a constitutional convention should be convened for the purpose of a general revision of the 1963 Michigan Constitution. Article XII...
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Senior Research Council staff Bob Schneider and Craig Thiel provided their assessments of the General Fund and School Aid Fund Governor Whitmer’s FY2027 Executive Budget.
Michigan’s local governments, especially its major cities and larger counties, continue to struggle to sustain and grow local revenues to fund a range of public services. Michigan affords local governments few options to levy local taxes.
This outline is designed to be a ready reference to the 68 taxes authorized for the state and local government in Michigan.
At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-01 will ask voters whether a constitutional convention should be convened for the purpose of a general revision of the 1963 Michigan Constitution. Article XII...
Read More >On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Senior Research Council staff Bob Schneider and Craig Thiel provided their assessments of the General Fund and School Aid Fund Governor Whitmer’s FY2027 Executive Budget.
Read More >Michigan’s local governments, especially its major cities and larger counties, continue to struggle to sustain and grow local revenues to fund a range of public services. Michigan affords local governments few options to levy local taxes.
Read More >This outline is designed to be a ready reference to the 68 taxes authorized for the state and local government in Michigan.
Read More >
RESEARCH |
Council Reports
At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-01 will ask voters whether a constitutional convention should be convened for the purpose of a general revision of the 1963 Michigan
In a Nutshell: Many states, including Michigan, have legalized online gambling and sports betting in the last decade, which has led to a proliferation of the industry and significant economic
In a Nutshell The City of Detroit held its biannual Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) on February 13, 2026, as required by state law to update and revise city revenue estimates
In a Nutshell Introduction The 2025 transportation funding package (TFP) was a notable outcome of Michigan’s contentious Fiscal Year (FY)2026 budget deliberations. The 2025 TFP was celebrated as a successful
In a Nutshell Another Michigan state budget season is upon us. A perennial, and often contentious, issue has been the use of School Aid Fund (SAF) dollars to finance appropriations
In a Nutshell: Increasing Local Revenues and Revenue Diversity The City of Detroit is gaining momentum. Its appeal as a destination city is growing. It is hosting more visitors, sports
In a Nutshell Importance of Public Safety in Detroit Detroit is entering a new era with Mayor Mary Sheffield who took office on January 1, 2026, after 12 years under
In a Nutshell State economists met on January 16 to hold a Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) as required under state law to revise the revenue forecasts that will guide
In a Nutshell: Introduction Public Act (PA) 51 of 1951 is the state law that distributes the primary sources of transportation funding in Michigan. The Citizens Research Council has long
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