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

-Lent Upson, first director of Citizens Research Council

Special Biweekly Edition

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November 13, 2025

The last year has been marked by significant changes in federal health policy. Previous work by the Research Council has highlighted changing policy regarding vaccination guidance, scientific and medical research funding, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. These changes exist within a broader context of the federal government spending less on public health insurance programs, but also pulling back from its role as a coordinating force for health expertise, guidance, and data collection.

In the absence of federal leadership in some cases, states have been considering what they can do to fill the gaps. One idea that has emerged is the formation of state alliances or collaboratives to perform as many of the necessary functions as possible. Michigan has not joined any of the major state alliances, but should consider doing so or take the lead to establish one for the Great Lakes states. 

IN A NUTSHELL

 -- The federal government is actively pulling back from its role as a coordinating force for health expertise, guidance, and data collection.

 -- States have begun forming health alliances to perform some of the functions formerly performed by the federal government as well as those the federal government has started to do in ways that contradict established science. 

 -- Michigan has not joined any of the existing alliances, despite strong incentives to prioritize health outcomes for its residents, and should consider joining one or leading its own.

Other Recent Council Briefs:

• $250M Boost for At-Risk Students; But Few New Oversight Demands
• It is Time to Revisit Michigan's Revenue Sharing Programs
• Revisiting the 1998 Seminal Bolt Decision

Tax Policy Modernized, Despite Contentious Process and Late State Budget

Citizens Research Council of Michigan released an update to its Outline of the Michigan Tax System, the 39th edition of this popular publication, which serves as a ready reference for policymakers, journalists, researchers, and citizens on Michigan’s often-complicated tax structure. The outline serves as a ready reference to the 68 taxes authorized for state and local governments in Michigan.  It contains information on each of the 43 state and 25 local taxes effective as of the publication date.

Michigan faces increased healthcare costs with expiring federal subsidies, 9&10 News (November 10)

Stateside: Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, Michigan Public (November 7)

Michigan Roads, Bridges Show Improvement in Latest Report, WOOD Radio (November 7)

Mary Sheffield will be Detroit’s new mayor. Here are some of her top priorities, Outlier Media (November 4)

‘It’s gross’: Whitmer criticizes state budget pork spending process, Detroit News (November 3)

What’s fueling school districts to request up to $425M in bonds for building needs, Detroit News (November 2)

Report: New budget’s at-risk funding increased, but oversight of how it works didn’t, Gongwer (November 2)

A Discussion On Potential Ballot Proposals, WTCM Newstalk 580 (November 1)

How Detroit’s mayoral hopefuls would overhaul city’s high property tax system, Detroit News (November 1)

Counties can Counteract Federal Health Changes, Michigan Counties (October 2025)

Research group says Michigan’s new road funding plan has some issues, but “certainly can’t hurt”, Michigan Public (October 29)

“What are the powers the new candidates actually have to raise wages in the city?”, Outlier Media (Oct. 29)

A Wonderful Evening Discussing an Admissions Tax for Detroit

Citizens Research Council thanks everyone who came out to BasBlue in Detroit this week to discuss the pros and cons of an admissions tax for Detroit. The Research Council recently published a paper, at the behest of the Detroit City Council, examining what an admissions tax and other cities across the state could achieve.

The event was not only well attended but also highly engaging, with attendees offering many ideas for further avenues of research on the topic. 

We are especially grateful to our Directors, Jade James-Gist and Nathan Benedict, for hosting this engaging event.