Connect with us

Detroit, MI

Michigan tax revenue predicted to rebound after a down year

Published

on

Michigan tax revenue predicted to rebound after a down year


Michigan’s tax revenues will see a slight decline this year before rebounding for the next two years after that — in large part because of tax policy changes implemented by newly powerful Democrats who were working last year with a record surplus, state officials projected Friday.

Economists in the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration outlined their projections for the state’s tax revenue during a conference Friday in Lansing. The projections will be used by lawmakers over the next several months to craft the state’s annual budget.

The projections show that the state’s tax revenue will total close to $31.5 billion this year, a slight increase from previous projections but close to $400 million less than the previous year. The economists estimated that tax revenue will jump by close to $1 billion in each of the next two years.

The projections Friday come “as things return more to normal,” said Eric Bussis, the chief economist in the state’s Department of Treasury.

Advertisement

The economic outlook followed a year in which newly powerful Democrats passed the state’s highest ever budget — $82 billion — with a surplus that had been projected to exceed $9 billion because of federal pandemic aid.

As a result of the high tax revenues, the state’s income tax rate was lowered to 4.05% from 4.25%. The rate will return back to 4.25% after Michigan’s attorney general ruled that the law lowering the tax was meant to be temporary.

In addition to the tax rate cut, Democrats passed a number of other tax policy changes that contributed to the slightly lower estimated revenue for 2024. Lawmakers attempted to provided relief to retirees by phasing out taxes on public and private pensions, and the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit was significantly expanded from the current 6% to a 30% match of the federal rate.

Economists added Friday that a nearly month-and-a-half-long autoworker strike targeting Detroit’s three carmakers did not have a significant negative impact on revenues.

Friday’s projections will help provide lawmakers with an idea of how much they can spend in this year’s legislative session, which kicked off on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Democrats will once again control the legislative agenda but they will no longer have full control of the state Legislature. The state House is currently tied 54-54 after two Democrats vacated their seats after winning mayoral races in November.

Whitmer, now in her second term, will outline her policy priorities for the year in her sixth State of the State speech on Jan. 24. The governor is expected to prioritize education, economic development and a paid family and medical leave plan that she called for last year but which was never passed.

The House and Senate Fiscal agencies will hold a second revenue estimating conference in May.



Source link

Advertisement

Detroit, MI

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

Published

on

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron


The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.

Advertisement

Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer

Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.

Advertisement

In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.

Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.

A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.

The Pistons could use someone like Kennard

Advertisement

Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.

Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Continue Reading

Detroit, MI

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

Published

on

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94



A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported. 

Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.  

The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.  

Advertisement

In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction. 

None of the gunshots struck the vehicle. 

Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident. 

The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office. 

In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

Advertisement

The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Detroit, MI

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Published

on

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday


play

Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?

Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Advertisement

What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?

What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?

What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?

NBA playoffs odds: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | NBA championship odds | Game odds

Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock

Advertisement

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.

NBA playoffs Game 1 predictions, picks: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s score projections

Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.

NBA playoffs series schedules, TV channels: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | Daily schedule | First-round matchups

Advertisement

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?

The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

NBA playoffs series picks, predictions: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s predictions | NBA playoff bracket

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Advertisement

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com todaySign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don’t miss a thing.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending