In a Nutshell Although public K-12 schools across Michigan approved their 2026-27 spending plans back in June and most welcomed students back in late August, this week’s student count will reveal how ...

On Sunday, October 4th, Spotlight on the News will interview Eric Lupher, President of the non-partisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan about its analysis of Proposals 1 and 2.

At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-02 will ask voters whether an initiated statute should be enacted for the purposes of prohibiting regulated electric and gas utilities, contrac...

Proposal 2, commonly called Mop Up Michigan, is a proposed statutory initiative to amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA). If Proposal 2 is Adopted, the law would be amended to: The different ...

At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-02 will ask voters whether an initiated statute should be enacted for the purposes of prohibiting regulated electric and gas utilities, contrac...

Citizens Research Council of Michigan's Eric Lupher explains how a constitutional convention would work if voters call for one in the Nov. 3 election.

At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-01 will ask voters whether a constitutional convention should be convened for the purpose of a general revision of the 1963 Michigan Constituti...

In a Nutshell Detroiters continue to call for more action to address crime and safety in the city. In a 2025 survey by the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS), Detroiters reported that crime ...

Michigan could become a national leader in infrastructure management by adopting legislation that envisions infrastructure assets within public ROWs as a coherent engineered system within a statewide ...

Detroit officials estimate residents spend over $3 billion a year in surrounding communities on goods and services they can't easily find in town.

🎙️In the 13th episode of the #FactsMatter podcast on the Michigan Constitution—ahead of a statewide ballot question asking whether Michigan should hold a constitutional convention (con-con)—Guy Gordon...

Local government considerations in responding to hyperscale data center proposals.

This episode explores Article X - Property of the Michigan Constitution. They explore how Michigan reshaped eminent domain in 2006, why the constitution still references the historic “disability of co...

At the November 3, 2026, general election, Proposal 2026-01 will ask voters whether a constitutional convention should be convened for the purpose of a general revision of the 1963 Michigan Constituti...

Local government considerations in responding to hyperscale data center proposals.

Cuts to the nation’s largest food assistance program will likely spill over into schools, causing students to lose access to free breakfast and lunch.More than 1 million American children have lost…

Small towns have trouble attracting leaders and are saddled with increasing responsibilities, but efforts to help struggle to even get a hearing in the Capitol.

University of Michigan and Toledo scientists are studying how exposure to airborne toxins from Lake Erie's algae blooms could affect people.

About 100,000 fewer Michiganders are receiving SNAP benefits

In A Nutshell: Last summer, the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was enacted which, among other things, made significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – the...

In a Nutshell Declining student enrollment has been a financial challenge for Michigan K-12 school districts for over two decades and is projected to continue. Under the state-controlled per-student f...

Michigan’s new school budget quietly introduced one of the most consequential changes in years: a built-in mechanism to soften the financial blow to schools from a 25% decline in K–12 enrollment since...

Using Localized, Data-Driven Strategies to Achieve Prosperity in Michigan

In a Nutshell Declining student enrollment has been a financial challenge for Michigan K-12 school districts for over two decades and is projected to continue. Under the state-controlled per-student f...

Podcast #10 in a series exploring the Michigan Constitution's 12 Articles

YouTube video by Citizens Research Council of Michigan (crcmich)

In A Nutshell

Consumers are unlikely to see any relief in gas and electric bills as utilities proposed more than $18 billion in rate hikes across the country over the first half of the year. The consumer advocacy g...

News and updates on data centers in the Great Lakes State for the week of July 6

Rapidly expanding in an increasingly digital world and the rise of artificial intelligence, data centers are under intense scrutiny across the states. Companies tout economic development and job creat...

Cases have been identified in at least 43 Michigan counties, with the largest number, 215, in Monroe.

oin Bridge reporters on July 29 as they discuss the issues around the state of democracy including the political divide, election integrity, money in politics and more.

A paper published on June 16, 2026, evaluates the issues commonly at the center the conversations about bringing hyperscale data centers to Michigan. It addresses the economic impacts, potential impac...

Data centers have become a contentious issue across Michigan, as environmental concerns, skepticism toward Big Tech and arguments on local control sit at odds with job predictions, economic growth and...

At least 52 Michigan communities have enacted data center moratoriums — temporary pauses that stop the acceptance or approval of permits for certain types of developments.

YouTube video by Citizens Research Council of Michigan (crcmich)