• Federal Revenue Sharing: A Standing Counter-Cyclical Fiscal Policy Mechanism for State and Local Aid

    Published on October 18, 2022
    The GRS and the SLFRF are examples of counter-cyclical fiscal policy for state and local aid under different economic and political contexts. Targeted use could assist local governments experiencing socio-economic distress (high unemployment and poverty).

  • ARPA Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in Michigan: Spending Plans as of April 2022

    Published on September 26, 2022
    Just over 17% of the $4.4 billion allocated to Michigan local governments have been spent. Nearly $3.6 billion funds remain unobligated, $3 billion to be spent by 64 large Michigan local governments, while $642 million for the remaining.

  • ARPA Fiscal Recovery in Michigan - 2021

    Published on September 7, 2022
    Planning and spending of American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars in 2021 by Michigan’s largest grant recipients.

  • How Much Debt Is Too Much?

    Published on November 29, 2021
    States and municipalities, most of which cannot run chronic deficits like the Federal Government due to state constitutional, statutory and charter prohibitions, must make hard choices if debt becomes burdensome.

  • A brief history of disincorporation and consolidation in Michigan

    Published on October 7, 2021
    “To be, or not to be, that is the question”. Residents of some Michigan municipalities have contemplated and others chosen to cease to exist—discorporate, and unify –consolidate into a new governmental entity. How to know when to vote this question?

  • New Federal Water Money Like the Old Money

    Published on September 20, 2021
    We may be for the first time taking real steps toward water security. The new water assistance program could provide the federal support needed to keep water taps flowing and community water providers in the black.

  • What are Michigan’s Community Water System Infrastructure Needs?

    Published on April 29, 2021
    Millions of dollars of federal funds for local governments will begin arriving next month and investing in the upkeep of our drinking water systems is encouraged.

  • State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972

    Published on April 5, 2021
    Federal revenue sharing, what’s that? Most leaders of Michigan’s local governments may not have any memory of federal revenue sharing, since it was last available to localities in 1986. Could it be reestablished? It sure can.

  • Biden Stimulus Plan to Aid Michigan Local Finances and Economies

    Published on March 11, 2021
    Michigan localities will share $4.4 billion in federal fiscal recovery aid. The stimulus package is expected to support some 43,000 Michigan jobs with annual labor earnings of nearly $3.6 million and increase gross state product by $6.7 billion.

  • A Big Picture Look at Local Governments Finances

    Published on March 8, 2021
    One year into the pandemic and the local government financial picture is still fuzzy…with 300,000 fewer jobs but property tax revenues are up over 5%. What’s not unclear is the COVID-19 relief stimulus for local government will be welcomed.