"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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March 10, 2026

Highlights:

• Amending the Michigan Constitution: Trends and Issues. Con-Con Paper #3
• New podcast: The Worsening Human Costs of Online Sports Betting
• View testimony: Michigan's use of a weighted-student funding (WSF) model to distribute state aid
• State budget webinar: Where We Were, Where We’re At, and Where We’re Going

The Research Council released the third in a series of 15 papers, to be released before absentee ballots go out in September, providing voters with information to help them make decisions on whether convening a constitutional convention is in Michigan's best interest.

In addition to being asked on the ballot whether to convene a Constitutional Convention once every 16 years, Michigan residents have the right to alter the state constitution through the amendment process, which allows incremental changes to the document short of full revision.

The third paper, Amending the Michigan Constitution: Trends and Issues, traces the history of successful and unsuccessful constitutional amendments, breaking down the efforts by the articles proposed for amendment.

Research Director Craig Thiel recently presented to the House K-12 Budget Subcommittee regarding Michigan's use of a weighted-student funding (WSF) model to distribute state aid to school districts. A WSF model provides additional dollars (using per-student funding "weights") to districts serving low-income, special education, and English learner students, recognizing the additional costs they incur to educate these students to state standards.

In a webinar for Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, Senior Research Associate Bob Schneider provided context for Michigan’s recent economic history, outlined the changes proposed in Governor Whitmer’s FY2027 budget recommendations, and described what the next few years may look like if trends continue.

Research Council Director Craig Thiel was recently a guest on the Skillman Foundation's Our State of Education podcast, discussing how public schools are funded. From Proposal A to more recent policy updates, Michigan’s funding system has been shaped over decades of decisions that continue to influence what schools can offer students today.

In addition to Thiel, the panel included State Senator Sarah Anthony and Venessa Keesler, President & CEO of Launch Michigan and hosts Angelique Power, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation, and Lloyd Jackson, assistant news director at WJR-760 AM.

State of Education airs on WJR radio (channel 760 AM) and is available to livestream online at WJR.com. Every episode recording is available on YouTube and on all podcast platforms.

Have problem gambling behaviors increased due to sports betting apps, WWJ | MI News Network Radio (March 9)

Nessel sues 'prediction market' company, alleges violation of gaming laws, Gongwer | State Affairs (March 6)

CRC report outlines recs for addressing problems stemming from online sports betting, Gongwer | State Affairs (March 6)

Sheffield's first budget proposal as Detroit mayor comes with 'tempered' expectations, Crain's Detroit Business (March 6)

University of Michigan power to avoid local land use rules targeted after Los Alamos backlash, MLive (March 4)

Michigan Revisits University Land Rights Over UM Data Center, GovTech (March 4)

Can UM ignore local zoning laws to build data center? The Detroit News (March 3)

Michigan’s Constitutional Convention Question Explained, DetroitIsIt (March 3)

Blow It All Up? Voters to Decide Fate of Michigan Constitution in November, Michigan News Source (March 2)

Before you sign: Michigan ballot petitions explained, Manistee News Advocate (February 27)

A chance to reclaim your state government, Michigan Advance (February 26)