#FactsMatter, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan podcast

Citizens Research Council of Michigan
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Podcast by Citizens Research Council of Michigan

  1. 2d ago

    Article X: What Michigan’s Constitution Says About Power, Property, and Progress

    Michigan voters will soon face a major decision: whether to reopen the state constitution for revision. In this episode of the #FactsMatter Podcast, Guy Gordon and Research Council President Eric Lupher continue their article‑by‑article exploration of what’s inside the Michigan Constitution — and what might change if a constitutional convention/con-con moves forward. 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 coverture,” and how property rights for non‑citizens fit into today’s political climate. As Michigan voters prepare to decide this November whether to convene a constitutional convention, this conversation offers clear, nonpartisan context on what Article X protects — and what future reformers might revisit. Also on September 22, at noon, the Research Council will hold a webinar to review the Con-Con series highlights, with the goal of helping voters make informed, fact‑based decisions: https://crcmich.org/webinars/proposal-26-1-understanding-a-constitutional-revision

  2. Aug 26

    SNAP Changes Hit Michigan Families: What the Data Shows — and What the State Can Do Next

    Recent federal changes to SNAP eligibility have already led to an 8% decline in Michigan participation, leaving roughly 100,000 residents without access to food assistance. In this episode of the #FactsMatter podcast, Karley Abramson, Research Council Associate for Health Policy, outlines how the new federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) changed SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) eligibility, including the expansion of work requirements, the exclusion of refugees and asylum seekers, and the narrowing of geographic exemptions -- only counties experiencing extremely high unemployment now qualify. The episode also examines how these changes ripple through schools, health systems, and local economies, and what Michigan can do to mitigate the impact. From universal school meals to navigation support and stronger food bank partnerships, the loss of roughly 100,000 participants represents an estimated $300 million reduction in federal food dollars flowing into Michigan’s economy, with ripple effects for families, grocers, and healthcare systems. The conversation also highlights what Michigan can do to soften the blow, including universal school meals, navigation support, stronger food bank partnerships, and broader tools such as the earned income tax credit. Karley underscores that while some losses are unavoidable, Michigan can still act to ensure that every eligible resident receives benefits and that those who fall through the cracks have access to alternative supports.

  3. Aug 20

    Article IX is the poster child for how citizens have distrusted their elected officials…

    #FactsMatter podcast host Guy Gordon and Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council, take a deep dive into Article IX of the Michigan Constitution, which governs finance and taxation. They explore why Article IX has become a magnet for constitutional amendments over the past 60 years, noting that Michigan voters often turn to constitutional changes because of deep mistrust in the legislature’s ability to manage taxation and spending. 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.

  4. Aug 19

    K–12 school enrollment has dropped nearly 25% since 2003. How MI is handling the financial fallout?

    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 2003, with an additional 8% decline projected over the next five years. 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.

  5. Aug 11

    Michigan’s economic warning lights are flashing

    Michigan is stuck in the bottom tier for income, job growth, and population — but researcher Madhu Anderson says the turnaround won’t come from another statewide task force. It’ll come from the ground up. 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.

  6. Aug 5

    How Michigan’s Education System Could Change if a Con-Con is Approved in November

    In this 10th episode of the #FactsMatter Podcast series exploring the issues Michiganders could face if a constitutional convention is approved on November’s ballot, host Guy Gordon and Research Council president Eric Lupher take listeners deep into Article VIII of the Michigan Constitution — the section devoted entirely to education. 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 listening 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.

  7. Jul 29

    Unpacking Michigan’s Budget: Transparency, Shortfalls, and FY2028 Risks

    The FY2027 budget dropped. The Research Council dug in. And suddenly a massive gap appeared — one that no official document explained. 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.

  8. Jul 2

    Conversations on the Porch with Michiganders: Lauren Gibbons, reporter, Bridge Michigan

    In the final episode of the series #FactsMatter: Facts from the Front Porch, Guy Gordon and Eric Lupher sat down with Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons for a candid look at Michigan’s political moment. Gibbons talks about fact‑checking candidates, navigating election‑year friction, and the challenge of covering policy in a state where partisan tension often overshadows problem‑solving. 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.

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