"The right to criticize government is also an obligation to know what you are talking about."
-Lent Upson, first director of Citizens Research Council
Final Detroit Public Schools Debt Repayment in 2025; Lawmakers Face Lame Duck Proposal With Fiscal Costs and Tradeoffs
The now-defunct Detroit Public School district (DPS) is on track to repay a major component of the nearly $2 billion in legacy debts it was saddled with in 2016 when state law shifted responsibility for the education of Detroit school children to the new Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).
DPS officials have approached state policymakers during the current lame duck legislative session with a proposal that would allow DPS to continue to use the proceeds from its school operating property tax to help repay its $1.4 billion of outstanding capital debt and related state borrowings. That would require an annual General Fund appropriation of at least $120 million in the Fiscal Year (FY)2026 state budget.
IN A NUTSHELL
-- A key milestone in the State of Michigan’s 2016 plan to address the financial crisis in the Detroit Public Schools is just around the corner.
-- With the repayment of the operating portion of its legacy debts on the horizon, DPS officials have approached state policymakers during the current lame duck legislative session with a proposal that would allow the district to continue to use the proceeds from its school operating property tax to help repay its $1.4 billion of outstanding capital debt and related state borrowings.
-- As lawmakers consider the DPS proposal, they should note the fact that specific proposal is proof that Michigan lacks a clear and cohesive policy surrounding public school debt relief.
Michigan Urgently Needs a Watershed-Based Approach to Address Water Pollution and Urban Flooding
Michigan is in danger of failing the next generation of Michiganders.
The health and wellbeing of Michigan residents, as well as the state’s economic prospects, require sustainable management of our natural resources. After decades of pollution control and subsequent improvement of the quality of Michigan’s water resources, progress has stalled and we are in danger of backsliding. In recent years, we have seen frequent costly flooding events, and uncovered widespread pollution in our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The causes of these emergent problems are complex. Solutions will require fundamental reform to state policy regarding how water resources are managed. Such reform is likely to be difficult. Yet, if we maintain the status quo, we will burden future policymakers and citizens with more severe, harder to solve problems.
IN A NUTSHELL
-- Michigan’s economic and social wellbeing is largely dependent on the state’s natural resources - most critically, its water.
-- Water resource management notably improved following the passage of the federal Clean Water Act in 1972. However, recent data and observation suggest that progress has plateaued and we are in danger of backsliding. Current policies are not sufficient to address current problems such as water pollution and flood prevention.
-- To assure a healthy and safe environment for future generations of Michiganders, the state should act now to begin a transition to coherent, goal-oriented water resources management based on watershed boundaries.
More Analysis from our Blogs:
- Budget Implications of the House Republican Road Funding Plan
- Let's Reevaluate the Purpose of State Revenue Sharing as part of Municipal Finance Reform
- Addressing Direct Care Shortages Through State Policy
- Michigan Appellate Court Ruling Upholds Stormwater Utilities
- Congress Fails to Address Inequities of Title I; MI Lawmakers Should Step In
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