"The right to criticize government is also an obligation to know what you are talking about."

-Lent Upson, first director of Citizens Research Council

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February 28, 2025

The Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee invited the Department of Treasury and Citizens Research Council to present before the committee on Michigan taxes and tax abatements. Following a presentation on Michigan's tax structure by Chief Deputy Treasurer Jeff Guilfoyle, Research Council President Eric Lupher and Senior Research Associate Robert Schneider provided an overview and history of taxes in Michigan. One of the most downloaded documents published by the Research Council is the "Outline of the Michigan Tax System," which is published annually and used widely throughout the state.

In a given year, the Research Council publishes anywhere from eight to 12 long-form, heavily researched public policy analyses on critical issues facing Michigan. But did you know: almost every week, we publish research essays we call blogs? They are short-form white papers also investigating major policy issues. From healthcare to taxes, education to climate change, Detroit to Pentwater - we've covered it.  We have a powerful search engine on our website. Whatever your interest, use the "search" button and look around! https://crcmich.org/

Recent Briefs:

• Policymakers at All Levels Can Work Toward Better Indoor Air Quality
• Bringing Oversight and Transparency to Legislative Earmarking
• Consequences of State-Directed K-12 Funding: Loss of Local Decision-Making
• Getting the "Dys" out of Michigan's Dysfunctional Legislatures

If you missed our webinar last week examining the Governor’s FY26 budget recommendation, you can watch it here: https://crcmich.org/event/analysis-of-governor-whitmers-fy2026-executive-budget.

Bob Schneider and Craig Thiel dig into the numbers and discuss what they mean for future budgets and for continuing discussions on the $3 billion question: what about the roads? Thanks to Kyle Melinn and Samantha Shriber from MIRS for joining us for some Q&A!

February was a busy month for Research Council analysts offering presentations in Detroit. The presentations included an intimate evening last week at BasBlue, hosted by Research Council Director Aya Waller-Bey. Eric Lupher gave an overview of who the Research Council is and recently published research on Detroit’s economic development efforts. The conversation with guests ranged from questions and concerns to interests in potential future research.

Citizens Research Council analysts are available to meet with your constituency group and any civic, community, government, or professional groups to discuss our research or provide a presentation in person. We encourage you to leverage the research on the Citizens Research Council website. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with new research released each week.

Citizen Research Council President Eric Lupher recently appeared with Chuck Stokes, host of WXYZ Detroit's Spotlight on the News. They discussed the level of dysfunction in the Michigan Legislature and structural changes that could be made to help end it.

Detroit’s Mayoral Race Heats Up as Candidates Battle for the City’s Future and the People Trust, Michigan Chronicle (February 21)

Detroit’s finances are stable. Can the next mayor keep it that way? Crain’s Detroit Business (February 20)

Michigan’s highway funding becomes the white whale of public policy, City Pulse (February 19)

Student enrollment down as state considers more K-12 funding, The Center Square (February 18)

Whitmer, Hall’s Road Funding Proposals Leave CRC Scratching Its Head, MIRS News (February 18)

Spotlight on the News: Michigan public policy, WXYZ Detroit (February 14)

Legislature Reaction Splits Along Party Lines on $3B Whitmer Road Plan, But Hall Seems Open, Gongwer (February 11)

What’s a Con-Con? Michigan voters will decide if they want to rewrite the constitution in 2026, Michigan Advance (February 10)

Opinion: How to make Michigan’s Legislature less dysfunctional, Crain’s Business (February 10)

Report: To Curb Budgetary Earmarks, Put Pork Protocols Into State Law, Gongwer (February 7)

Whitmer proposes tax on vapes, nicotine products to curb usage, generate more revenue, WWJ Detroit (February 6)

CRC: State Budget Surplus Comes From Expiring Corporate Tax Earmarks, MIRS News (February 4)

House backs early vetting, posting of proposed budget earmarks, Crain’s Business (January 29)

Dana Nessel and other state AGs sue to block Trump's federal funding pause, Detroit Free Press (January 29)

Paused pause? Michigan reeling from potential threat to federally-funded programs, Detroit Free Press (January 28)