As we reflect on this election year, which featured outsized personalities, misinformation, and policy proposals that lacked fact-based evidence for implementation, Citizens Research Council staff focused on providing quality, non-partisan research that you and other decision-makers need to build the future our state deserves.
For 108 years, we have provided all state residents – from legislators to students, business leaders to voters - vital non-partisan policy research. This work has not only promoted sound public policy but also directly impacted the communities we serve, from local board rooms to the state as a whole. Each week, we publish meticulously researched analyses.
Did you know:
- Michigan lags Ohio and Indiana with financial support for startup businesses. This trend, if not addressed promptly, will significantly affect our investments in the employers of tomorrow and our ability to retain and attract talent.
- The state’s oldest Downtown Development Authority, the Detroit DDA, will have 56 consecutive years of “capturing” property tax revenue when the current debt is retired. This affects the ability of the city, county, ISD, and other local governments to provide services, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, to the local community.
- Unlike many other states, Michigan does not have laws on financial assistance policies for medical costs, billing and collection practices, limitations on medical practice lawsuits, and reporting related to medical debt. More than 40 percent of adults in the U.S. have some form of medical debt. This leaves many, specifically much of the low-income population, one medical event away from hardship.
Read more about these and other state and local government policy issues on the Citizens Research Council website to learn how we’re working every day to make Michigan a better place to live and work.
There are many ways to give, from online donations to stock donations, Qualified Charitable Distribution allocations, or donor-advised funds. If you have questions about how you want to support the Research Council, please contact me at elupher@crcmich.org.
Thank you in advance for considering supporting this vital work. Your contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated.
P.S. With the election behind us, new state, county, township, and other elected officials will soon be sworn into office. Invite those serving you to join our email list and seek information about the issues affecting your community from our library of past publications on our website.
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