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Citizens Research Council: The Uncertainty of Funding in the 2025 Road/Transportation Package

MBN: CRC Mich

MBN: CRC

#FactsMatter host Guy Gordon and Research Council infrastructure associate Eric Paul Dennis met this week to discuss Dennis’ recent comprehensive report on the 2025 Michigan road funding package. They explore the implications of the new funding sources, including a marijuana wholesale tax and earmarks for corporate income tax, as well as the uncertainties surrounding revenue guarantees. Local road agencies may also face challenges in accessing new funds due to complex criteria, and the distribution of funds may favor certain local agencies over others.

If estimated revenues are achieved, it could lead to significant improvements in road conditions; however, uncertainty about revenue estimates can hinder long-term planning for road agencies. Only 30% of the new road funding revenues are guaranteed.

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Revenue Uncertainty Defines New Road Funding Package

Estimated Revenue Impact of 2025 Transportation Funding Package, FY2026 to FY2031

The Assessment of the 2025 Michigan Transportation Funding Package was released last week, providing details on sources of new and newly earmarked revenue, as well as how this funding is likely to be distributed between the Michigan Department of Transportation, county road commissions, and city/village road agencies.

An analysis of road funding data from 2013 to 2022 concludes that Michigan ranks 28th nationally, with funding levels similar to peer states such as Ohio and Indiana. Michigan is no longer an underfunded state—it is about average. The 2025 TFP will build on recent funding increases, potentially making Michigan one of the top 15 best-funded states. Yet there is uncertainty around how much of the intended new funding will be available and how impactful it will be.

Read the Report

Other Recent Council Reports:

  • Social Determinants of Health: Pathways to a Healthier Michigan
  • Outline of the Michigan Tax System – 39th edition
  • Unpacking the FY2026 State Budget: Six Things You Should Know

Council Research Reports

Webinar: Lack of Finances Central to State’s Lagging Health Outcomes

The Research Council last week hosted a webinar to discuss the findings of a new report on the Social Determinants of Health: Pathways to a Healthier Michigan. The webinar covers findings from the report, including:

  • Policymakers should invest in making changes that work toward a healthier Michigan. The health of the population directly affects many other government goals spanning virtually every policy area.
  • In every area of public policy, there is a nexus to health and well-being. When reviewing how social determinants of health intersect, the pathways can be traced to whether an individual has the financial resources to obtain them, either directly or indirectly.
  • Any sustained progress on this front will be the product of tradeoffs and deliberation from many stakeholders who recognize the connection between improving financial resources and health outcomes in the state.

Watch the Webinar

The Research Council in the News

Karley Abramson, Citizens Research Council – Health, Workforce, Michigan, Michigan Business Network (November 24)

Be aware of winter manure application restrictions, Michigan Farmer (December 9)

Michigan’s new pot tax still a go after judge denies injunction to block it, Bridge Michigan (December 8)

Michigan’s Road Funding Crisis, Steve Gruber Show (December 8)

Shortcomings of recent road/transportation bills, Paul Miller Morning Show (December 8)

New analysis warns Michigan’s 2025 road funding deal may fall short and arrive late, Michigan Advance (December 5)

Townships worried about being left out of new road funding plan, Gongwer News (December 5)

New analysis warns Michigan’s 2025 road funding deal may fall short and arrive late, Iosco News (December 5)

Michigan’s roads are supposed to get more money in new budget, but what if it dries up? Michigan Public (December 4)

Michigan road funding faces uncertainty as new study reveals 70% of revenue streams not guaranteed, WXYZ TV7 (December 4)

New report: Michigan road funding policies create uncertainty, funds may not materialize, WWMT News3 (December 4)

CRC Report Warns Michigan’s New Road Funding Plan Could Fall Short, WZMQ News19 (December 4)

CRC says road funding plan is complicated, may not address needs, Gongwer News (December 4)

CRC Report: New $2B Local Road Funding Model May Not Fix The Roads, MIRS News (December 4)

70% of new Michigan road revenue is not guaranteed, report saysMLive.com (December 4)

Report: 2025 Michigan Transportation Funding Package Creates Uncertainty, DBusiness (December 4)

Citizens Research Council of Michigan’s health report shows poor performance in key metrics, The Michigan Daily (December 3)

Why the health of Michiganders lags behind others around the nation — and how we can catch up, WDET 101.9 FM (December 1)

 

Court of Claims to hear challenge to Michigan’s impending 24% tax on marijuana, Michigan Public Radio Network (November 24)

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