The conversation examines several major issues that could resurface if Michigan voters approve a constitutional convention:

• Flat vs. graduated income tax: Michigan’s constitution mandates a flat rate, but exemptions and credits create de facto progressivity. Lupher explains that other states adjust their tax structures legislatively, whereas Michigan locks its structure into constitutional text.

• Sales tax limitations: Michigan’s 6% sales tax is constitutionally capped and heavily earmarked, leaving no room for local sales taxes—something many local governments may seek to revisit.

• State revenue limit: A Headlee-era cap tying state revenues to personal income has become “irrelevant,” Lupher notes, as personal income has stagnated and state revenues have fallen. “We are now $11, close to $12, billion dollars below that revenue limit…”

• Earmarking: The constitution’s extensive revenue earmarking restricts legislative flexibility, especially during recessions. Lupher recalls that earmarking was a major reason voters approved the 1961–63 constitutional rewrite.

• Borrowing restrictions: Michigan requires voter approval for certain types of state borrowing, an important safeguard, but one that can limit responsiveness during emergencies or major infrastructure needs.

• Local government finance constraints: Headlee, Proposal A, and taxable value limits have severely restricted local governments’ ability to raise revenue. Lupher suggests that local governments may be the most motivated constituency for a constitutional convention.

• Pensions: The constitution’s strong protections for public pensions were intended to ensure that governments kept their promises to workers. Although defined-benefit plans are less common today, these protections remain significant.

Throughout the conversation, Lupher emphasizes that Article IX is cluttered with statutory-level detail, often copied directly from older laws. This makes the constitution inflexible and difficult to modernize. “If you’re going to start in one place to clean this up… that’s it.”

The episode closes with a sober reminder: while Article IX may be the strongest argument for a constitutional convention, Michigan’s polarized political climate makes such an undertaking risky and contentious.

In this #FactsMatter episode, Guy Gordon and senior Research Director Craig Thiel unpack the drivers of Michigan’s 25% enrollment drop, explain why districts can’t simply “right-size” overnight, and explain how the new three-year averaging formula works.

Because Michigan funds schools on a per‑pupil basis, declining enrollment means declining revenue. But districts can’t immediately cut costs—students who leave are spread across grades and buildings, and fixed costs like transportation and facilities don’t shrink proportionally. As Thiel explains, “It’s not that those 50 kids are all in the fifth grade and you can lose two fifth‑grade teachers.”

Thiel explains that while the change will cost the state roughly $186 million next year, it represents less than 1% of total K–12 funding — yet it dramatically affects district stability. The catch? These dollars are one-time funds, creating a looming funding cliff unless lawmakers make the policy permanent. With Michigan projected to lose another 8% of students by 2031, this is not a temporary challenge but a structural one.

Thiel argues that if declining-enrollment stabilization is to be part of the core funding formula, it needs a dedicated, ongoing funding source—not temporary dollars that disappear and destabilize district budgets.

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In this episode of #FactsMatter, Guy Gordon and Anderson dig into why and what might finally move the needle.

It’s a hopeful, data-driven conversation about how local strategies, strong social networks, and targeted investment can lift entire regions. The message: Michigan has the tools to change its trajectory. Now it needs to use them.

Anderson’s new research brief, Accelerating Michigan’s Path to Prosperity, argues that statewide “grand plans” haven’t delivered results. Instead, the real action is local. Using Harvard’s Opportunity Atlas and Social Capital Atlas, communities can now see — down to the neighborhood level — how children grow up, what their long‑term earnings are, and how social networks help or hinder them.

The surprise? Grand Rapids quietly became one of the country’s fastest-growing cities for personal income, thanks in part to community‑driven strategies such as its Neighborhoods of Focus initiative.

The takeaway: Michigan doesn’t need another blue‑ribbon commission. It needs to empower local leaders with better data, proven models, and the ability to tailor solutions to their own residents. The tools are free. The urgency is real. The path forward is local.

If voters approve a constitutional convention, Article VIII could face sweeping reconsideration. A Council Report on Article VIII was released last week as part of the Citizens Research Council’s Con-Con series.

Guy and Eric unpack the big questions: should Michigan establish education as a fundamental right? What would stronger constitutional language on adequacy, funding floors, or student achievement mean for schools, courts, and taxpayers? How might delegates rethink governance in a system where responsibility is scattered across the legislature, an independent State Board of Education, the governor, and hundreds of local districts?

The conversation also explores hot‑button issues likely to resurface, including private school vouchers and Michigan’s long‑standing prohibition on public funding for private education. Eric and Guy examine the political history behind the Blaine Amendment, why other states are moving toward vouchers, and how Michigan’s unique landscape could shape the debate.

Higher education governance gets its own spotlight as they revisit the origins — and current dysfunction — of Michigan’s elected university boards at U‑M, MSU, and Wayne State. They contrast Michigan’s model with other states, weigh the risks of politicization, and consider whether a constitutional rewrite could bring stability to the state’s flagship institutions. Community colleges round out the discussion, with a look at fragmented local governance and the missed opportunities for statewide coordination that could better support students moving from K‑12 to two‑year and four‑year programs.

This episode is essential for anyone trying to understand what’s at stake in a potential constitutional convention — and how decisions about Article VIII could shape Michigan’s educational future for decades to come.

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Citizens Research Council’s Bob Schneider joins Guy Gordon on the #FactsMatter pod this week to unpack Michigan’s FY 2027 budget and how Schneider’s analysis revealed a $600–$900 million gap that wasn’t visible in any public document. Within hours of his analysis being published, state leaders acknowledged quiet maneuvers involving SOAR lapses, unused reserves, and leftover federal dollars.

In this episode, Bob and Guy break down the SOAR lapse, federal stimulus shifts, and the transparency issues behind the state’s budget process, plus the $500M challenge awaiting in FY2028. A clear, nonpartisan look at what’s really happening inside Michigan’s finances, why it matters, and what it means for the next administration.

If you care about transparency, this conversation is essential.

Lupher explains that despite never having been amended, the structure is riddled with unresolved structural issues that a con-con could finally address. He also walks through why this structure creates both local control and major inefficiencies, how state laws have steadily eroded home rule, and why outdated constitutional language no longer reflects how counties operate.

Their conversation traces the origins of Michigan’s local government map to the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, explores how townships evolved into major population centers, and examines the proliferation of special authorities—now numbering more than 400 statewide—created to deliver services that individual municipalities can’t efficiently provide on their own.

Gordon and Lupher unpack the core tension at the heart of Article VII: efficiency and modernization versus accountability and home rule. They examine how overlapping jurisdictions complicate economic development and how state laws increasingly override local decision-making.

The episode also highlights areas where Michigan’s constitution no longer reflects reality—such as outdated provisions on county governance that conflict with “one person, one vote” requirements—and considers whether a constitutional convention could resolve these inconsistencies or rethink the balance of power among county officials.

Lupher emphasizes that while Article VII is ripe for review, any reforms must preserve the constitution’s role as a durable framework rather than a detailed policy manual.

For policymakers, civic leaders, and anyone interested in Michigan’s governance, this episode offers a clear, accessible overview of the structural questions that could shape a future constitutional convention.

🎧 Facts Matter Podcast — available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Abramson outlines the dual challenge ahead:

1. Eligibility changes that require enrollees to document 80 hours of work, job training, schooling, or community service each month; and

2. More frequent redetermination will double the administrative burden for both the state and recipients.

Abramson explains that maintaining coverage is in the state’s financial and public health interests, noting that Michigan receives $90 in federal funding for every $10 it spends on Medicaid. She also notes that losing coverage often leads to delayed care, higher medical debt, and increased strain on already fragile hospitals, especially in rural communities. She highlights exemptions, documentation challenges, and the urgent need for statewide awareness and a navigation strategy as redeterminations double in frequency.

Drawing on evidence from other states, the conversation dispels the myth that work requirements boost employment and instead underscores the real risk: unnecessary loss of coverage, increased uncompensated care, and destabilized access to healthcare across Michigan.

Abramson argues that Michigan must invest now in public awareness, navigation tools, and data-sharing infrastructure to minimize avoidable coverage losses and protect residents and healthcare providers from downstream harm.

A timely, fact-driven look at a policy change with enormous implications for families, providers, and the state’s fiscal health.

For policymakers and stakeholders, this episode offers a clear, fact-based overview of what’s coming—and explains why implementation choices made in the next six months will shape outcomes for years.

🎧 #FactsMatter Podcast — available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

The trio reflects on the unusually urgent tone of the May 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference: Michigan’s economic and population warning lights aren’t just flashing yellow — they’re flashing red. Gibbons notes that leaders across the island seem to recognize the stakes, even if consensus on solutions remains elusive.

They dig into emerging issues like data centers, AI anxiety, and the strain on local governments suddenly facing massive energy‑intensive projects. And when the conversation turns to Michigan State University’s latest leadership shake‑up, Gibbons weighs in on whether structural reform — including how university boards are selected — may finally be on the table, especially with a constitutional convention question headed to voters.

A fast, lively, porch‑side conversation about journalism, elections, governance, and the crossroads Michigan now faces.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Woodson explains how the Girl Scouts have overhauled their programming to focus on workforce development, using data, university partnerships, and collaboration with youth‑serving organizations to expose girls to careers they might never have considered. She stresses the importance of leadership, self‑advocacy, and confidence, noting that girls need both hard skills and the ability to navigate their own paths. From STEAM exploration to financial literacy and career‑focused skill building, the organization is intentionally aligning its badges, activities, and partnerships with the demands of tomorrow’s job market.

The conversation also highlights a major policy gap: Michigan’s lack of out‑of‑school infrastructure. Woodson argues that safe, structured, high‑quality programs between school and evening hours are essential — not optional — for youth development, public safety, and long‑term talent retention.

Leadership and self‑advocacy remain at the heart of the Girl Scout experience. Woodson underscores the importance of teaching girls to make decisions, speak up for themselves, and navigate challenges with confidence — skills that are essential whether they pursue college, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, or public service.

A candid, forward‑looking discussion about data, collaboration, and the systems Michigan must build if it wants its young people to stay, thrive, and lead.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Field-Foster reflects on her decades in government affairs and describes how Michigan’s political volatility — the “purple curse” of frequent partisan swings — leads to repeated policy resets rather than sustained progress. She argues that Michigan cannot improve population growth, income growth, or educational outcomes until leaders and voters embrace common ground, continuity, and a clearer understanding of what policy choices mean for residents.

The discussion also highlights a growing governance challenge: local capacity in high‑stakes economic development. As global companies pursue data center projects in Michigan, negotiations often fall to small township boards with limited staff and part‑time elected officials. Field-Foster suggests Michigan may need a state‑level framework, similar to the solar siting process, to provide consistency, address community concerns, and give businesses predictable rules of engagement.

The episode underscores three themes critical for policymakers:

Policy stability matters. Michigan’s habit of undoing prior administrations’ work slows progress and undermines long‑term strategies.

Public understanding is essential. Headlines drive voter disengagement; clear, nonpartisan policy education is needed.

Local governments need support. Townships negotiating with multinational firms require structure, expertise, and state‑level guardrails.

A timely conversation about political culture, economic competitiveness, and the structural reforms Michigan may need to move forward.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.

This week on the #FactsMatter podcast: Host Guy Gordon speaks with Karley Abramson, Associate Researcher for Healthcare Policy at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, about the upcoming rollout of Medicaid work requirements—changes that will affect roughly one in four Michigan residents.

Abramson outlines the dual challenge ahead:

1. Eligibility changes that require enrollees to document 80 hours of work, job training, schooling, or community service each month

2. More frequent redetermination will double the administrative burden for both the state and recipients.

Abramson explains that maintaining coverage is in the state’s financial and public health interests, noting that Michigan receives $90 in federal funding for every $10 it spends on Medicaid. She also notes that losing coverage often leads to delayed care, higher medical debt, and increased strain on already fragile hospitals, especially in rural communities. She highlights exemptions, documentation challenges, and the urgent need for statewide awareness and a navigation strategy as redeterminations double in frequency.

Drawing on evidence from other states, the conversation dispels the myth that work requirements boost employment and instead underscores the real risk: unnecessary loss of coverage, increased uncompensated care, and destabilized access to healthcare across Michigan.

Abramson argues that Michigan must invest now in public awareness, navigation tools, and data-sharing infrastructure to minimize avoidable coverage losses and protect residents and healthcare providers from downstream harm.

A timely, fact-driven look at a policy change with enormous implications for families, providers, and the state’s fiscal health.

For policymakers and stakeholders, this episode offers a clear, fact-based overview of what’s coming—and explains why implementation choices made in the next six months will shape outcomes for years.

#FactsMatter Podcast — available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

What Data Centers Are — and Why They’re Suddenly Controversial

Data centers have existed for decades, quietly powering email, websites, banking, and business operations. What’s changed is scale. New AI-driven hyperscale centers are far larger, consume far more electricity, and are tied to technologies that already make many people uneasy. Dennis emphasized that concerns about AI and data centers should be treated separately: blocking a data center in Michigan will not slow the global development of AI.

Economic Benefits: Big Construction Impact, Modest Long‑Term Jobs

Hyperscale projects bring a surge of construction activity, often employing thousands of workers at premium wages. But once built, these facilities typically support only about 100 permanent jobs, far fewer than traditional manufacturing plants.

Where they have the most lasting impact is in local tax revenue. In places like Saline Township, a single data center could more than double the township’s property tax revenue, even with exemptions, while occupying only about 1% of the land. Communities often negotiate additional benefits, such as recreation funding, fire services, and farmland preservation.

Electricity Demand: Huge Loads, But Not Necessarily Higher Rates

A hyperscale center can draw 1–1.4 gigawatts—roughly the electricity used by one million people. Despite the eye-popping number, Dennis explained that these facilities connect directly to the regional transmission grid, not the local distribution system that serves homes.
Michigan currently has excess generation capacity, and adding a large, steady customer can improve system efficiency. While parts of Virginia and Ohio saw temporary rate increases tied to rapid data-center growth, Michigan’s grid operator has already adjusted its market rules, and recent capacity prices here have declined, not risen.

Water Use: Highly Variable, Often Minimal

Water use depends entirely on the cooling technology used. Many modern hyperscale centers, including the proposed Saline facility, use closed-loop cooling, which uses little water, like that of an office building. Older or different designs that use evaporative cooling can require millions of gallons per day, but such systems are becoming less common.

The overall takeaway: Article VI works reasonably well structurally, but judicial selection, the partisan/nonpartisan fiction, and especially court funding are issues a convention would almost certainly need to address.

The 1963 Constitution Did Well Here
The framers get high marks for creating a unified “one court of justice” — a clear hierarchy from district courts up through the Court of Appeals (which didn’t exist before 1963) to the Supreme Court, with the Supreme Court given real administrative authority over lower courts. It was a major improvement over the previous patchwork with no clear appeals process.

Key Reform Opportunities

• Judicial selection is broken. Supreme Court justices are nominated by party caucuses but run on a “nonpartisan” ballot — something both hosts call transparently hypocritical. Other states use bipartisan vetting committees before gubernatorial appointment, which could reduce political gamesmanship, including governors rushing to fill vacancies before leaving office.

• The nonpartisan/partisan contradiction also bleeds into how vacancies get filled strategically, mirroring federal Supreme Court dynamics.

• Age limits (currently 70) may be worth revisiting given longer lifespans, though cognitive fitness concerns remain valid.

• Judicial pay is underfunded and uneven — tied to a politicized compensation commission, with some Supreme Court justices earning less than circuit judges in wealthier counties.

• County clerks serve two masters — local government and the courts — creating administrative confusion. Courts may be better served hiring their own staff.

• Court funding is the most contentious issue. The state was always intended to be the primary funder of the unified court system but currently covers only 2–4% of costs, leaving local governments to fill the gap. This creates stark inequities between wealthy and poor counties, and pushes courts to raise revenue through fees and fines, which can be barriers to justice and have been ruled unconstitutional. A constitutional amendment explicitly assigning funding responsibility to the state may be necessary to force change.

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00:00 Opening the Dialogue on Political Reform

03:11 The Case for Voter Engagement in Candidate Selection

05:59 Bipartisan Efforts and the Path Forward

Johnson jumped right in, pointing out that for decades, Michigan’s political parties have chosen their nominees for these two powerful statewide offices at party conventions — a system dating back to the 1963 constitutional convention.

“Only about three thousand insiders get a say,” he noted, “and we think it’s time to open that process up to every voter in Michigan.”

Gordon noted that voters should expect competence, not just popularity, in who holds the two offices, pointing out that the Secretary of State oversees a massive public‑facing bureaucracy and Michigan’s elections, while the Attorney General heads the state’s major legal and enforcement operations.

Johnson agreed and argued that broader participation actually strengthens the vetting process.

“You never go wrong when you allow more people to have a voice,” he said.

Michigan is one of only three states that still use conventions for these nominations. Everywhere else, voters decide directly in primaries.

Dr. Pink reflects on the value of Michigan’s appointed university boards, noting that Ferris has benefited from “rock stars as board members” selected through a thoughtful gubernatorial appointment process that considers competencies, geography, and alumni balance. He adds that appointed members tend to focus on service to the institution rather than on “self-promotion and political careers.”

Pink emphasizes that this process results in strong governance, rooted in balanced expertise and alumni representation, which helps keep GVSU focused on student success.

Their discussion then turns to Michigan’s long-term economic and population challenges. As the state slips from 19th to 40th in personal income and struggles to grow its population, Pink stresses that Michigan didn’t arrive at this point overnight and won’t reverse course quickly. The state must stop “starting over” every time leadership changes. He warns against letting major reports “sit on a shelf” and urges future leaders to build on, rather than discard, the work of the Growing Michigan Together Council.

A major theme: talent. Business leaders continue to cite talent shortages as their top concern, and Pink argues that Michigan must shift its culture around higher education. He highlights Ferris State’s recognition as an “opportunity university,” where students benefit from both high access and strong post‑graduation earnings—evidence that a four‑year degree still delivers real value.

Dr. Pink closes with a call for creativity and urgency to attract and retain talent in Michigan. He says talent is the key to restoring economic strength, supporting employers, and building the state’s future.

Eric explains that the 1963 Constitution dramatically simplified state government compared with the sprawling, confusing structure under the 1908 Constitution. Article V establishes not only the governor’s authority but also the independently elected Secretary of State and Attorney General, and it sets the framework for the State Board of Education and the superintendent of schools.

A major theme is checks and balances. While the governor has broad powers—including reorganizing departments, filling legislative vacancies, and making appointments—Lupher notes that a constitutional convention might focus on strengthening legislative oversight rather than on weakening the executive. Examples include:

• Executive reorganization power: Governors have repeatedly reshaped departments (e.g., splitting the DNR, creating EGLE, and forming new education structures). A con-con may consider whether the legislature should play a more formal role in approving such changes.

• Filling legislative vacancies: Recent delays in calling special elections underscored how political incentives can leave voters without representation. A convention could set firmer timelines or remove the governor from the process entirely.

• Appointment and removal authority: While governors need flexibility to select their leadership teams, Lupher suggests that improved confirmation or oversight processes could strengthen accountability, especially in departments that have faced public controversy.

The conversation also touches on a quirky gap in Article V: there is no process for filling a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office, even though the role carries constitutional responsibilities. Lupher calls this a clear example of “cleanup” work a convention could address.

Overall, they conclude that Article 5 is unlikely to be a driving force behind a push for a con-con. But if a convention were to occur for other reasons, delegates would have meaningful opportunities to modernize and clarify the executive branch’s structure.

Find the podcast series and more, here: https://crcmich.org/podcast

All three major budget proposals—the Governor’s, House’s, and Senate’s—are now public, making this year’s process smoother than last year’s. Schools and local governments benefit from early budget clarity. All three FY2027 School Aid budget proposals agree on a 2.5% increase in the foundation allowance, bringing per‑pupil funding to roughly $10,300.

At‑risk funding continues to grow, though the chambers differ sharply: the Governor proposes a 6% increase, the House 5%, and the Senate a dramatic 25% bump, which Craig describes as “a major revenue stream” for districts with high poverty rates. The Legislature has rejected the Governor’s plan to shift $400 million from the School Aid Fund to higher education, though that could re‑emerge in negotiations.

On the General Fund side, Bob reports modest revenue growth—“better up than down”—but not enough to ease structural pressures. The House proposes deep cuts to university operations, including a $421 million reduction for U‑M and MSU, while both chambers have dismissed the Governor’s proposed new revenues. All three budgets project shortfalls heading into FY28, meaning more cuts or revenue changes will be required next year.

Despite tensions, the three proposals agree on several points: funding for universal school meals, continued mental health and school safety grants, and the foundation allowance.

The biggest risks ahead include unresolved General Fund gaps, higher‑ed funding battles, and the possibility that K–12 dollars could again be redirected to plug holes elsewhere.

#FactsMatter host Guy Gordon and Research Council President Eric Lupher discuss the 8th paper in the series, breaking down Article IV – Legislative Branch, which, Lupher explains, has been the most frequently targeted article for amendment because voters often want to limit legislative power. Yet most attempts fail at the ballot box.

“They have targeted this article more than any other… [but] have a hard time convincing a majority of voters.”

With redistricting and gerrymandering across the country currently dominating the news because 2026 is a major election year and a recent massive SCOTUS decision, Guy and Eric touch on Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC), created in 2018 to reduce gerrymandering.

With the federal Voting Rights Act weakened, other states are aggressively gerrymandering, while Michigan’s hands are tied. A con-con could revisit the MICRC.

Michigan’s Constitution fixes the legislature at 110 House members and 38 Senators, unlike states that tie size to population. The 1963 Constitution implied it assumed a part-time legislature, but by the early 1970s, lawmakers stopped going home in June and had evolved into a full-time body.

Lupher explains that the shift complicates the rules governing special sessions, referenda, and lame-duck activity. A con-con might try to tweak term limits and strengthen Michigan’s financial disclosure laws.

They take on all of that and more, concluding that Article 4 contains both routine structural rules and several high-stakes issues ripe for reform. A constitutional convention could finally address long-standing dysfunction—but it’s an all-or-nothing gamble.

Guy Gordon and Madhu Anderson, Senior Research Associate for Local Affairs, discuss the story of the Pung family from Isabella County. After inheriting a home, the family lost their longstanding homestead exemption due to an administrative error. Believing the exemption still applied, they didn’t pay the resulting $2,000 tax bill. The county eventually foreclosed on the home, sold it at auction for far below its true value, and the buyer later resold it for nearly $200,000. The Pungs received only about $73,000 after taxes, penalties, and interest were deducted — far below the home’s true value.

Anderson’s recent brief, More Changes on the Horizon for Michigan’s Property Tax Foreclosure Process, focuses on changes to Michigan’s tax foreclosure process that should be made to address the issues raised by the case, including expanding homeowner education, easing the claims process for surplus proceeds, improving the transparency and competitiveness of tax auctions, and reviewing the impact of the current interest rate and penalty structure for delinquent taxes on property owners and local governments.

The Pung case raises a fundamental question: When a home is taken for unpaid taxes, how much of the homeowner’s equity should be protected? Michigan law currently returns only the auction proceeds, minus taxes owed. The Pungs argue that homeowners deserve the full fair market value of their property — not a deeply discounted auction price.

Anderson notes that the Supreme Court’s decision could determine whether current practices constitute an unconstitutional taking of private property. The ruling may also prompt states to reconsider how they balance tax collection with the protection of homeowners’ equity and generational wealth.

Anderson and Gordon also discuss broader human impacts, including the profound tragedy of losing a home over a small tax debt. Counties need revenue, but the system should not wipe out a family’s generational wealth.

The case underscores a simple yet powerful point: No family should lose the full value of their home to a small tax debt — especially when the system itself contributed to the problem.

A decision is expected in late June or early July.

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.

Ortiz emphasizes that social determinants such as poverty, income inequality, and family stability influence homicide rates. For instance, Detroit has both the lowest median household income and the highest share of residents living in poverty among similar cities.

Recent data show that Detroit’s homicide rate has fallen dramatically, with 2024 statistics indicating about 31 homicides per 100,000 people. This marks a significant decline compared with previous years. From 2022 to 2024, the homicide rate dropped by 37%. Additional positive trends include fewer teen pregnancies and improved economic conditions, offering hope for the future.

However, while the decline is commendable, it is essential to put this figure in context. 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.

The Citizens Research Council is celebrating its 110th anniversary of providing objective, nonpartisan research that helps Michiganders understand complex public policy issues. Amid heightened partisanship, please consider supporting the Council’s work so it can continue to serve as a trusted source of factual, unbiased information: https://crcmich.org/april-appeal

You can find the series and all #FactsMatter podcasts here - https://crcmich.org/podcast - and on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

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