An issue now before the U.S. Supreme Court could disrupt Michigan’s tax foreclosure process and the impact the system has on compelling timely property tax payments. The case concerns Michigan’s tax foreclosure system and how homeowners are compensated when a property is taken and sold to satisfy delinquent property taxes.

The Court is expected to issue a decision this summer in Pung v. Isabella County, a case that asks what just compensation is owed under the U.S. Constitution in this setting. The outcome could affect how Michigan’s delinquent property tax collection process operates and require changes to the tax-foreclosure framework.

In a Nutshell:

-- A decision from the U. S. Supreme Court on what is just compensation when a foreclosed property is sold by a county to recover to delinquent property taxes, interest, and fees is expected in Pung v. Isabella County this summer.

-- The central question is whether the calculation of just compensation under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution should be based on a tax auction sale price, or the fair market value of the foreclosed property.

-- Changes to Michigan’s tax foreclosure process should be made to address the issues raised by Pung v. Isabella County: expand homeowner education, ease the claims process for surplus proceeds, improve the transparency and competitiveness of tax auctions, and review the impact on property owners and local governments of the existing interest rate and penalty structure for delinquent taxes.

Guy chats with Eric Lupher and Research Council Detroit Bureau Director Doug Ortiz, who recently published a paper examining Detroit’s declining homicide rates and how they compare with those of peer cities. They also explore the context behind the decline, its social determinants, and what it means for the city’s future.

The decline in Detroit’s homicide rate is a significant and encouraging trend that reflects the city’s efforts to improve public safety. However, understanding the context and the underlying factors driving these numbers is crucial.

Compared with peer cities such as Newark and Toledo, Detroit still has a higher homicide rate, and it remains higher than the national average, raising concerns about ongoing safety and the need for continued improvement.

As the city continues to face challenges related to poverty and inequality, ongoing efforts will be necessary to ensure that this progress translates into lasting safety and a better quality of life for all residents.

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