In the Media
Articles, op-eds and other media coverage related to our initiative:
Tax Limits Can Erode Local Fiscal Resiliency, Pew Trusts.org, August, 2021. In this article, Michigan is the first example of what states should NOT do when it comes to arbitrary tax limits.
Michigan Real Estate Values Rebound, Property Tax Revenues Continue to Lag, mlive.com, Feb. 3, 2020
Despite Job Boom, Michigan City Halls Short on Cash and Top Executives, Detroit Free Press, Feb. 3, 2020
Loss of Revenue Sharing Impacting Local Municipalities, Cadillac News, Jan. 13, 2020
Michigan Cities Fail to Benefit from Recession Recovery, Ionia Sentinel, Jan. 8, 2020
State should care for cities, villages, and townships, The Alpena News, Jan. 6, 2020
Congrats on budget, Michigan. It does little to fix state’s biggest problems, Bridge Magazine, Dec. 10, 2019
Moody’s Investor Service ranks Detroit and Chicago as weakest among 25 big U.S. cities to weather an economic downturn, Detroit News, Dec. 10, 2019
Michigan communities fail to benefit from recession recovery, Spartan News Room, Dec. 6, 2019
Study: Property Taxes & State Revenue Failed to Keep Up with Inflation, WHMI Radio, Howell, Dec. 5, 2019
Michigan’s newest proposed road solution would give cities, counties control, an it has bipartisan support, Fox 2, Detroit, Nov. 27, 2019
Shrinking Revenue for Michigan Cities, Michigan Public Radio, Nov. 21, 2019
Study: Michigan cities have 12% less revenue than 15 years ago, WLNS TV, Lansing, Nov. 20, 2019
New Report Paints Bleak Financial Picture for Cities in Michigan, Moody on the Market, Nov. 20, 2019
Press conference live on Facebook: New Report Shows Revenue Declines in Michigan Cities, Michigan Municipal League Facebook page, Nov. 20, 2019
Press release: New Report Paints Bleak Financial Picture for Michigan Cities, Michigan Municipal League and Public Sector Consultants, Nov. 20, 2019
Brenda F. Moore: Michigan cities not ready to endure another, Crain’s Detroit Business, Nov. 17, 2019
SaveMICity Podcast: Debra Horner Discusses University of Michigan’s Public Policy Survey, SaveMICity the Podcast, Aug. 28, 2019
SaveMICity Podcast: Talking with Monica Galloway of Flint City Council, SaveMICity the Podcast, July 20, 2019
MML’s Anthony Minghine Talks About SaveMICity work on Craig Fahle Show – Episode 14, July 17, 2019
New initiative looks to change state revenue sharing, Huron Daily Tribune, July 13, 2019
SaveMICity Podcast: John Philo, lead counsel on Headless Lawsuit, discusses the case as it winds through the courts, June 20, 2019, SaveMICity the Podcast
SaveMICity Podcast: Anthony Minghine Talks with Fenton City Manager Lynn Markland, president of the Michigan Municipal Executives, April 19, 2019
A $18 billion debt is coming due, and it’s haunting small town Michigan, Bridge Magazine, February 25, 2019
PODCAST: Watershore Wallop/Mason Masonry, Mason City Manager Deb Stuart shares thoughts about revenue sharing, Friday Morning Podcast, February 22, 2019
Grand Ledge City Councilman Brett Gillespie reacts to the governor’s State of the State Address, from a smaller city’s standpoint, WILS Radio, February 13, 2019
Ferndale City Councilwoman and MML Foundation President Melanie Piana Discussing Michigan’s Broken Municipal Finance System, WWJ Newsradio 950, February 13, 2019
Governor Whitmer Delivers First State Of The State Address, WHMI Radio, February 13, 2019
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss discusses revenue sharing (interview begins at 56:23) WLAV Radio, February 12, 2019
Press Release: SaveMICity Initative Honoredin Best of MichBusiness Awards Program, Jan. 30, 2019
SaveMICity Podcast: The Poisoned City Author Anna Clark Discusses Flint Water Crisis and Bigger Picture, SaveMICity the Podcast, Jan. 23, 2019
An open appeal to state lawmakers: It’s time to invest in Battle Creek, Lansing State Journal, Oct. 7, 2018
Schor: It’s time to invest in Lansing, Lansing State Journal, Sept. 30, 2018
An open appeal to state lawmakers: It’s time to invest in Sault Ste. Marie, Sault Ste. Marie Evening News, Sept. 29, 2018
Opinion: State’s flawed funding system needs repair, Traverse City Record-Eagle, Sept. 23, 2018
Opinion: Time to invest in our cities, Detroit News, Sept. 23, 2018
Press release: Expanded SaveMICity Initiative Launches, Sept. 20, 2019
SaveMiCity Initiative to Unveil New Marketing Initiative in Grand Rapids this Week, Michigan Municipal League Media Advisory, Sept. 17, 2018
Michigan leaders urge forward-thinking policy, investments at Mackinac conference, MiBiz, June 9, 2018
Mackinac Policy Conference served sober realism along with champagne, Detroit Free Press, June 3, 2018, Detroit Free Press, June 3, 2018
Congressman Dan Kildee: We need a smarter, more sustainable agenda to support America’s cities and towns, Press Release, May 30, 2018
Ann Arbor among five regions to be focused on in Mackinac Policy Conference panel on Wednesday, Click on Detroit, May 29, 2018
Mackinac Policy Conference could help these 5 Michigan regions, Detroit Free Press, May 28, 2018
How to tackle retirement costs, guest column by League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin, Detroit News, Dec. 14, 2017
Dollars down the drain: Local governments see decades of declining state revenue, The Herald Palladium, Dec. 3, 2017
The view from Lansing on revenue sharing: Legislators note rising revenue, examine proposals for reform, The Herald Palladium, Dec. 3, 2017
Hitting home: Southwest Michigan communities deal with decline in state aid, The Herald Palladium, Dec. 3, 2017
A Downsized Public Workforce May Be a Permanent Consequence of the Recession, Governing, Dec. 1, 2017
Protect infrastructure finance in tax reform, Washington Examiner, Nov. 20, 2017
OPINION: State of Community: City of Gaylord, Gaylord Herald Times, Nov. 10, 2017
Water crisis hits Michigan suburbs: ‘We’ve been sounding alarms for years’, Crain’s Detroit Business, Oct. 26, 2017
Is new tax needed to address ‘crisis’ in Washtenaw? Voters to decide, mlive.com, Oct. 26, 2017
Can Only the Super-Rich Save Us? If We Believe That, Our Democratic Experiment is Doomed, NonProfit Quarterly, Oct. 24, 2017
Ann Arbor officials still not sure about local income tax idea, Ann Arbor News, Sept. 12, 2017
State disinvestment hurting southeast Oakland communities, municipal group says, The Daily Tribune, Aug. 25, 2017
Responding to MSU President, Lahanas Defends City’s Financial Management, East Lansing Info, Aug. 14, 2017
Civic, business leaders emphasize urban agenda at Mackinac Policy Conference, MiBiz, June 11, 2017
For 2018 Mackinac Conference, let’s put more focus on cities’ needs, Detroit Free Press, June 2, 2017
Making cities great will take state funding fix, Mayor Bliss says at Mackinac, Mlive, June 1, 2017
Snyder speech low on new ideas, high on optimism for future of state, Detroit Free Press, June 1, 2017
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss joins Guy Gordon at the Mackinac Policy Conference, The Guy Gordon Show, May 31, 2017
Snyder: Schools, Municipalities Need Resolution of Budget, U.S. News, May 31, 2017
New Push for Better Infrastructure, News Talk 94.9 WSJM, May 30, 2017,
Farmington’s financial challenges mirror those of other Michigan communities, Hometown Life, May 23, 2017
Guest column: We need your help to save Michigan cities, The Morning Sun, May 18, 2017
Loss of revenue sharing hurts local economies, The County Press, May 17, 2017
What Michigan is – and isn’t – doing for local governments, Lansing State Journal, May 16, 2017
Michigan Municipal League SaveMICity Presentation Taking Place on Mackinac Island as Part of Policy Conference, Crain’s Detroit Business, May 10, 2017
Cities’ budget problems will require tough decisions, Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun Editorial, May 13, 2017
Michigan Municipal League Cries Foul Over Revenue Sharing Shortfall, news/Talk Radio 94.9, May 12, 2017
Michigan Municipal League Says State Owes $52 million to Berrien County Communities, Moody on the Market, May 11, 2017
City managers weigh in on keeping municipalities vibrant, Morning Sun, May 6, 2017,
Municipalities fiscal outlook gloomy despite recovering economy, Associated Press/U.S. News & World Report, April 23, 2017
Six Area Mayors, Michigan Municipal League to Host Forum on Funding, Grand Rapids Press, April 3, 2017
State Funding Squeeze Could Mean ‘Ultimate Financial Disaster’ for Michigan Communities, Michigan Public Radio Stateside Program, March 29, 2017,
Revenue sharing boosts Michigan communities, Detroit News guest column, March 8, 2017
Strapped cities taking aim at Proposal A, Bridge Magazine, Feb. 27, 2017
Funding squeeze could prompt Proposal A update, Crain’s Detroit Business, Feb. 26, 2017,
Wayland city manager voices concern about lack of revenue-sharing from state, mlive.com, , Feb. 23, 2017
Route Fifty: Fiscally Strained Michigan Municipalities Face ‘Perfect Storm’, Route50 Blog, , Jan. 25, 2017
Holland Mayor Talks State Funding During Michigan Municipal League Press Conference, Holland Sentinel, Jan. 25, 2017
Michigan Municipal League Priorities, WILX TV, Jan. 25, 2017
City Leaders Praise Snyder’s New Economic Message, Politically Speaking Blog, Jan. 25, 2017
Broken System has Cities Drowning in Fiscal Troubles, MIRS News Service, Jan. 24, 2017
MML Doubling Down to Fix Broken Finance System, Gongwer, Jan. 24, 2017
Howell City Manager to Speak at Michigan Municipal League Press Conference, WHMI Radio, Jan. 24, 2017
Talking About Municipal Finance and saveMIcity with Westland Mayor William Wild, In The W Show, Dec. 22, 2016
Tony Minghine: Municipal League wants to reform state municipal finance, Adrian Daily Telegram op-ed, Dec. 9, 2016
Speakings of finances, Municipal League wants to reform state municipal finance, Adrian Daily Telegram, Dec. 9, 2016
Michigan cities’ advocate: Revenue sharing discussion gaining traction, WKAR public radio, Oct. 27, 2016
Panel Discusses Finding a Fix for Struggling Cities, ABC 12, Oct. 25, 2016
Leaders Meet to Discuss Ways to Help Cash-Strapped Michigan Cities, Fox 66 News, Oct. 25, 2016
Drop in State Revenue Sharing Leaving Many Cities to Fend for Themselves to Provide Service, TV 25 News, Oct. 25, 2016
MML Hosts Panel on City Funding, WNEM TV 5, Oct. 25, 2016
How Michigan Funds Its Cities Needs to Change, Detroit Free Press, Oct. 24, 2016
Grand Rapids Mayor: Lower Revenue Sharing Threatens Success of Cities, State. Michigan Radio, Oct. 7, 2016
Recipe for Success: Fund Our Cities, Detroit Free Press, Sept. 30, 2016
Poll: Voters Discontent with Service Standards, Michigan Peninsula News, Sept. 22, 2016
By The Numbers – Public Payroll Growth Stifled in Michigan as Cities Make Drastic Cuts, SEMCOG Blog, Sept. 16, 2016
Billionaire Rescues Kalamazoo with Cash to End Fiscal Plight, Holland Sentinel use of Bloomberg News, Sept. 16, 2016
Guest Column by Anthony Minghine: Jackson, and the County, Feel 15-Year Pinch of State Fiscal Policy, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Aug. 31, 2016
Economy improved, but Michigan cities still in crisis, Detroit Free Press, Aug. 29, 2016
Database: See what Michigan shares with its cities, Detroit Free Press, Aug. 29, 2016
Lansing, are you listening to Michigan cities? Detroit Free Press editorial, Aug. 24, 2016
State Revenue Sharing System is Broken, City Leaders Say, mlive.com/Jackson Citizen Patriot, Aug. 15, 2016
Michigan cities lose billions in revenue hurting cities like Jackson, WLNS TV 6, Aug. 15, 2016
Revenue Sharing Shortage for Jackson, Greg O’Connor Show on WKHM News Radio 970 AM, Aug. 15, 2016
Taking a Closer Look at Troubles in Municipal Financing, UPMatters.com, Aug. 11, 2016
Flint Poisonings Haunt Wayne Mayor Whose Town Faces Michigan Takeover, Crain’s Detroit Business, Aug. 11, 2016
Dollars and Sense? Municipalities wrestle with disconnect between state revenue sharing and the economy, MiBiz, Aug. 7, 2016
Michigan’s Money Sharing, mlive.com/Grand Rapids Press, July 20, 2016
Michigan cities team up to offset “fundamentally unsustainable” municipal finance system, Michigan Public Radio, July 19, 2016
New Study Confirms Economic Impact of Eight Placemaking Assets Every Community Should Have, Model D Media, July 18, 2016
Is the State Starving Your Community?, WDET, June 14, 2016
Feeling the Pressure, St. Joseph Herald-Palladium, June 12, 2016
Lou Glazer column: Without more state revenue cities can’t thrive, talent won’t stay, Grand Rapids Business Journal, June 10, 2016
As Governor touts Michigan’s economy, municipalities and families circle the drain, Eclectablog.com, June 7, 2016
Michigan Urged to Rethink Municipal Funding, Bond Buyer, May 31, 2016 (requires subscription)
Detroit News editorial: Get Michigan Cities Back on Feet Again, Detroit News, May 30, 2016
Mitch Bean column: Starving cities and the coming storm, Bridge Magazine, May 26, 2016
Cities Statewide Feel Financial Pinch, Traverse City Record-Eagle, May 25, 2016
Phil Power column: Binding cities, with few ways out, mlive.com and Bridge Magazine, May 24, 2016
Column: Strong Communities Require Fixing Michigan’s Local Funding System, mlive.com, May 19, 2016
Few cops, abandoned parks, and why more cities are in financial crisis, Bridge Magazine, May 12, 2016
Searchable Database: How Many Cops has Your Town Lost?, Bridge Magazine, May 12, 2016
Flint Syndrome: Welcome to Pennsylvania, where cash-poor cities work together with state emergency managers, Bridge Magazine, May 17, 2016
Flint Syndrome: Revenue Tools Help Toledo Survive Through Tough Times, Bridge Magazine, May 17, 2016
Flint Syndrome: Fewer cops, abandoned parks, and why more cities may crumble, mlive.com, May 12, 2016
Postcard from a city’s edge: Wayne – Need Fire Hoses? Pass the Hat, Bridge Magazine, May 12, 2016
Postcard from a city’s edge: Battle Creek – A Starving Cereal City, Bridge Magazine, May 12, 2016
Postcard from a city’s edge: Saginaw’s Parks and Wreck, Bridge Magazine, May 12, 2016
Not Waiting for Government, Philanthropy steps up to help Flint, Bridge Magazine, May 11, 2016
Column: Ford’s Better Idea for Dearborn, Detroit News column by League President and Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, May 5, 2016
Stir it up: Why Cities Need Sustenance, Detroit Metro Times, April 20, 2016
Want to fix Michigan’s cities? Here’s How, Detroit Free Press, April 16, 2016
Oakland County communities get creative to offset millions lost in statewide revenue sharing, Oakland Press, April 5, 2016
Making the Economic Case for Place, Oakland 115, April 4, 2016
‘It’s a Dirty Rotten Shame’ – Municipalities: State is Shortchanging Us, Daily Mining Gazette, Houghton, March 30, 2016
The League’s Chris Hackbarth Talks Municipal Finance Reform on Radio Show, Michael Cohen, WILS 1320, March 28, 2016
Michigan’s Decline, In Three Reports, DailyDetroit.com, March 28, 2016
Cities Want their Share; Tool Shows Funding Loss by Community, Oakland 115, March 26, 2016
Michigan Municipal League Relaunches Revenue Sharing Discussion, WKAR public radio, March 25, 2016
Letter to the editor by Eric Anders: Did you Know?, Midland Daily News, March 24, 2016
MML says Big Rapids lost $5M in state revenue, Big Rapids Daily News, March 23, 2016
How States Can Threaten Municipalities Fiscal Future, Fiscal Bankruptcy blog, March 22, 2016
Group points to state policy to root of cities fiscal owes, WMUK radio, March 22, 2016
Dickinson cities hurt by state revenue cuts, Iron Mountain Daily News, March 21, 2016
Group: Data points to ‘disinvestment’ in Michigan cities, Detroit News, March 21, 2016
Michigan city revenues lone in nation to fall from 2002-2012, Associated Press, March 21, 2016
MML Pushing to Make Local Government Funding Changes, Gongwer, March 21, 2016
New Database Shows How Michigan Allocates Funds to Cities, WDET 101.9 FM, March 21, 2016
Articles related to 2016-17 FY state budget:
Businesses seek talent and talent seeks place, so help Michigan cities, Bridge Magazine, March 18, 2016
Local Governments Want $5.8M in Revenue Sharing Restored, MIRS News Service, March 16, 2016
Treasurer Suggests Lawmakers Look into Local Government Funding, MIRS News Service, March 9, 2016
City of Lansing Says State Budget Plan Not Enough, Revenue Sharing Explained,
WILX TV, Feb. 10, 2016
Revenue-sharing specific articles:
In-Depth Blog & Audio: What Michigan Communities Expect from a U.S. President, Revenue Sharing Explained, WDET Public Radio, March 3, 2016
Financial Struggles in Cities Not Always What You Think, Economics of Place Blog, Feb. 15, 2016
Rick Snyder isn’t the only Michigan leader who abandoned Flint, Washington Post, Feb. 1, 2016
How Michigan’s cities are set up to fail, Detroit Free Press, Nov. 23, 2015
City Blues: MSU Study Finds State Tax Policies Cripple Cities, Bridge Magazine, Nov. 17, 2015
Is Michigan on the Road to Ruin?, Detroit Free Press, Nov. 8, 2015
Report: Reforming Statutory State Revenue Sharing by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, CRCMich.org, Feb. 18, 2015
In the Red – Drivers of Local Government Debt in Michigan, Michigan Policy Network, June 16, 2014
Great Revenue Sharing Heist, Review Magazine, Michigan Municipal League, March/April, 2014
How Michigan’s revenue sharing ‘raid’ cost communities billions for local services, mlive.com, March 30, 2014
The Great $6.2 Billion Revenue Sharing Heist, Michigan Municipal League Report, Voice of Detroit, March 26, 2014
Dearborn Significantly Impacted by Missed Revenue Sharing, Dearborn Press & Guide, March 24, 2014
Revenue Sharing Could have kept Lincoln Park Out of Financial Crisis, officials say, The News Herald, March 23, 2014
Wyandotte’s Deficit Tied to Decline in State Revenue Sharing, The News-Herald, March 23, 2014
Revenue Sharing Review: How Cities Have Been Impacted, Oakland 115, March 23, 2014
Local Leaders Angry About Lost Revenue Sharing, Macomb Daily Tribune, March 21, 2014
Michigan Municipal League says Legislature Diverted Funding; Midland Loses $10.9 million, Midland Daily News, March 21, 2014
Michigan’s $6.2 Billion Road on Revenue Sharing, mlive.com, March 18, 2014
Loss in State Revenue Sharing Leaves Melvindale in a Hole, The News-Herald, March 17, 2014
Budget-related articles tied to Flint Water Crisis:
Michigan’s way of funding cities set the stage for Flint water crisis, Detroit Free Press, March 20, 2016
Flint’s other water crisis: Money, Politico.com, March 7, 2016,
Editorial: Flint’s agony and our poisoned politics, Battle Creek Enquirer, Jan. 24, 2016
Flint Lost Close to $60 Million in Revenue Sharing, according to MML, Truth-Out.org, March 3, 2016
Budget-related articles tied to Detroit:
Detroit’s Bankruptcy Reflects on State, Other Municipalities, WDET Public Radio, Nov. 30, 2015
Detroit Faces the Same Challenges after Bankruptcy, Detroit Free Press, Jan. 3, 2015
Did Michigan Kill Detroit?, Reuters, March 19, 2014
Detroit Bankruptcy Didn’t Have to Happen, says Former-Goldman Sachs VP, Metro Times, April 8, 2014
Other municipal finance articles:
Auburn Hills leaders consider outsourcing emergency dispatch, fire millage increase to offset budget shortfall, Oakland Press, March 18, 2016
Michigan Localities Waiting on Much Needed Infrastructure Funding, GovTech.com, Nov. 9, 2015
Pensions, retiree health care comes at a cost, Port Huron Times-Herald, May 9, 2015
Local Government Groups Urge State to Pass Unfunded Mandate Bills, Gongwer, Nov. 4, 2015