"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 26, 2026

This Week's Highlights

• New Constitutional Convention paper: A brief Michigan Constitutional history
• New podcast: Governor Whitmer's final budget recommendation: critical insights
• New podcast: Funding is accidentally cut for FY2026
• Webinar recording: A deep dive into the FY2027 Executive Budget proposal

The second paper in the Research Council's 15-paper series provides an overview of how each of Michigan’s four constitutions came to be, the failed and successful revision attempts, and the primary issues that prompted the 1961 constitutional convention.

The 1963 Constitution is Michigan’s fourth; the state was one of 11 states to revise its constitution between 1948 and 1975. Only two states (Georgia in 1983 and Rhode Island in 1986) have undergone the revision process since then.

The Research Council’s series will provide voters with information to help them decide whether convening a constitutional convention is in Michigan's best interest at this time. The Citizens Research Council takes no position on whether to call a constitutional convention.

Eric Paul Dennis, research associate for infrastructure at the Research Council, joins Guy to discuss Dennis’ research brief, How the 2025 Transportation Funding Package Accidentally Cut Road Funding in FY2026, contrasted the promise of new funding in the current fiscal year with the reality.

Find all #FactsMatter podcasts on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcastsand slam that LIKE and SUBSCRIBE button!

On February 24, senior Research Council staff Bob Schneider and Craig Thiel provided their assessments of Governor Whitmer’s proposed FY2027 Executive Budget, along with MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn asking questions. Click below to find the webinar and access the slides.

Report card: A look back at some of Gov. Whitmer's biggest State of the State promises, WWMT TV3 (February 25)

Midwest Democratic governors aim to soften sting of Trump policies, Bond Buyer (February 25)

Part 3: The End of Michigan's Tax Foreclosure System, The Chargeback (February 25)

Under pressure: Road Commission being squeezed on both ends, The Daily Mining Gazette (Feb. 24)

Local gov’t officials: If we cut property taxes, how are we supposed to pay for services? Gongwer | State Affairs (February 24)

CRC: Eliminating Income Tax ‘Extremely Challenging’, MIRS News (February 24)

SBO memo on continuation budget raises new questions when fiscal year starts without a budget, Gongwer|State Affairs (February 23)

Fact check: How Gretchen Whitmer delivered — and didn’t — on her promises, Bridge Michigan (February 18)

Barrett's Bookmarks, Bridge Detroit (February 18)

CRC: Road agencies aren't receiving more funding – yet, Gongwer|State Affairs (February 18)

CRC: Transportation Package Starts By Rolling Backward, MIRS News (February 18)

Pot for Potholes II: Michigan's New Neighborhood Road Fund Hits a Dip, The Balanced Sheet-Substack (February 18)

Spotlight on the News: Should Michigan hold a constitutional convention? WXYZ Detroit (Feb. 15)

Editorial: Property tax relief shouldn’t stop with seniors, The Detroit News (February 14)

An Educational Series: Should Michigan Hold a Constitutional Convention? Michigan Business Network (February 14)

Gov. Candidates Say Stop Using School Aid Fund for Higher Ed — Whitmer Once Did, Too, MIRS News (February 13)

Whitmer’s education budget shifts record $1.7B from school aid fund, The Detroit News (February 11)

Whitmer 2027 budget has tax cuts for some; tax hikes for others, Detroit Free Press (February 11)