"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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September 24, 2025

Catch Up on Recent Research Papers

Evaluating Local-Option Admission Taxes in Michigan Cities

IN A NUTSHELL

-- Detroit is one of the few major cities in the U.S. that does not levy an entertainment/amusement/admissions tax. While this means the city is not taking advantage of a revenue source commonly used by other cities, it also means that the city can learn from the processes and experiences of others.

-- Depending on how an authorizing state law would define the base and the tax rates authorized, Detroit could yield upwards of $50 million from an admissions tax.

-- Revenue from an admissions tax could be used to enhance city services, diversify the city’s revenue streams, provide property tax relief, and put into a fund that could be used to draw major national events to the city.

Read the Paper

Other Recent Research Papers:

One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its Impact on Michigan's Budget
Federal Medicaid Cuts Will Have Big Consequences in Michigan
A Data-Driven Assessment of Michigan's Road Program

All Research Papers

Catch Up on Recent Issue Briefs

Upcoming Changes to ACA Tax Credits Will Cause Cascading Disruption throughout Health Care System, Michigan

IN A NUTSHELL

-- Recent federal action and inaction are likely to lead to higher out-of-pocket premiums for people who obtain health insurance through the private Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

-- Higher premiums on policies available in the marketplaces are likely to result in people opting out of obtaining coverage, which will not only impact those individuals but will also likely have negative consequences for those who have private health insurance, the health care system, and the state.

-- Michigan has limited options to respond to the federal changes, especially given the tight budget environment, but should be evaluating what can be done to limit the potential impact.

Read the Brief

Other Recent Issue Briefs:

Investments in At-Risk Student Funding Slow to Improve Third Grade Reading
Michigan Ranks 28th in 2025 National Road Funding
Michigan Ranks 40th in 2025 National Road System Condition Assessment - Unchanged from 2024
Changes in Federal Recommendations Could Make it Harder and More Expensive for Michiganders to get Vaccinated

All Issue Briefs

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Impacts of Not Extending ACA Tax Credits Will Cascade Through Health Care System, Michigan

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Karley Abramson, health policy associate for the Research Council, follows up with Guy on her paper from last week, Upcoming Changes to the Affordable Care Act Tax Credits Will Also Disrupt Michigan’s Health Care System. They discuss how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would likely result in an estimated 200,000 fewer Michiganders having health care.

Full Podcast

This includes an estimated 100,000 people who will become uninsured because Congress did not renew or extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC). The other 100,000 individuals are expected to become uninsured due to new administrative requirements that may create barriers to people qualifying for EPTC. Estimates suggest that premiums would increase in Michigan by about 70 percent on the marketplace, or over $800 per year, if the credits are allowed to expire.

All Podcasts

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