Guest: Tony Raffa of Savi

Topics: With major changes coming to federal student loan programs on July 1, this week’s Podcast 83 episode features a MAC partner that aids counties and their employees in navigating loan repayment rules.

Savi is now operating in nine Michigan counties to aid county employees, or even all of a county’s residents, navigate the dizzying rules of loan repayments

“We are a public benefits social impact company, really founded by a lot of student loan experts and policymakers, to help those many people out there struggling with student debt, trying to better understand their debt and all their options,” explained Savi’s Tony Raffa.

“Probably the most important thing is that collections are back on the table (as of July 1),” he continued. “The biggest concern here is that we've seen 9 million borrowers are currently in default nationally, so about 1 in 4 borrowers. We see about 25 percent of those in Michigan are in this boat. And what that means is it means these borrowers are not currently making student loan payments. Now, that has a few effects

“For starters, anyone who's not making student loan payments is going to see an immediate hit to their credit score. We've seen, on average, credit scores dropping by 57 points, and as we continue to get deeper into defaults and delinquency, we will only see that number increase. We've even seen 2 million people go from prime to subprime credit scores.”

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Guest: Deena Bosworth of MAC

Topics: The Michigan Legislature is another week closer to a statutory deadline for approving a fiscal 2027 budget and it’s not clear what is going on, reported MAC’s Podcast 83 team in a new episode.

“What is the latest on the budget?” asked host Stephan Currie.

“What we're hearing is that they worked really hard all weekend to come up with agreements on big items and funding,” replied Deena Bosworth. “Now, how far into the weeds do they get? We're not quite sure.

“We know the governor was really pushing to have housing included in these budget negotiations. We know the speaker was really pushing to have property tax reform in these budget negotiations,” she continued. “We have advocated, and I think others have advocated, that these are huge policy discussions that really should not be part of the budget conversations.”

This week’s episode also touched on:

• Brownfield redevelopment changes: “So, counties, cities, townships and villages would be eligible for these grants or a low-interest loan program, kind of like a revolving fund through the state,” Bosworth explained. “Grants (would be) up to about $2 million each, unless it's a huge transformational package or transformational site. But it would allow locals to do some environmental cleanup, some remediation and then prep it for redevelopment.”
• Indigent defense resources for juveniles: “This one's a tough one for us,” Bosworth said. “House Bill 4070 expands the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission's authority to make recommendations for youth indigents who are going through the process. MAC is supportive of expanding MIDC to youth,” she added. “But the state also has to pay for that. And we already know that we struggle with the authority of the Indigent Defense Commission, telling our counties what they can and can't do within their facilities or their budget when it deals with dealing with indigent defendants. So, right now, we are opposed … because we don't see where the state is necessarily going to allocate the funding necessary to implement it.”

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Guest: Deena Bosworth of MAC

Topics: The state’s fiscal 2027 budget faces a July 1 deadline, but it’s not clear what that actually means for what will be in the document, say MAC’s Podcast 83 team members in a new episode.

“First and foremost, the budget, we've got an artificial deadline. I call it an artificial deadline. It is an actual statutory deadline of July 1, but there's really nothing that puts any teeth in it if you (miss it),” said host Stephan Currie to open the episode, “as we saw last year when the budget got done on Oct. 8.

“What are we hearing on this year's budget?”

“We are hearing making great progress. We are hearing that they are not talking at all. We are hearing, oh my goodness, we have lots of issues on the table and we'll see what happens,” said Deena Bosworth. “We hear: ‘You know, we're really going to get this done since it's an election year, we'll have the budget done by July 1.

“And then last week we heard, we could just do a few months of a budget and then come back and revisit it. So, yeah, we are hearing quite a bit,” she added.

“I will say this,” Bosworth said. “I think that they're talking better now than they have been talking in years past. Don't forget, for everyone out there, this is a discussion between the House, the Senate and the administration. Sometimes. conversations are great between two of those entities; sometimes, they are not great at all; and very rarely is it a good discussion between all three at the same time.”

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Guest: Deena Bosworth of MAC

Topics: In a brief episode this week, MAC’s Podcast 83 team reviewed the state of play in Lansing on a variety of county issues, including a bid for statewide septic code, issues with a new marijuana wholesale tax and distribution of dollars used for substance abuse prevention.

Host Stephan Currie, who was traveling to the Upper Peninsula to visit several member counties, asked Deena Bosworth about a troubling report on marijuana taxes.

“There was a portion of some new money for roads coming from a marijuana tax, but we've got some problems there. What are the problems with the new marijuana tax money for roads?”

“The revenues are coming in, but they're coming in significantly lower than what was anticipated,” Bosworth replied. “So, the first quarter payment came in, and I want to say it was $30 million shy of what they actually anticipated.

“And that makes a big difference for our county road departments and our county road commissions, who are anticipating this huge influx of dollars,” she continued, “Now, whether that is just because it's the beginning of (tax collections), because there was so much controversy, or if it is something else. I don't really know. … (B)ut I do know that there is a shortfall, and our members need to keep their eyes on that.”

Bosworth and Currie also discussed:

• House Bills 5099-5100, which would streamline an existing process in which dollars are shared with counties for substance abuse work and with the Huntington Place convention facility in Wayne County. “(The bills) basically get away with the legislative sunset (expiration) and allows them to continue doing their thing at Huntington Place and continues our revenue for our substance use disorder programs through the liquor tax. And that's now into perpetuity, if that gets enacted, so that's a good sign.”
• Legislation to alter mental health treatment protocols, which MAC and the Community Mental Health Association oppose.
• A bid by UP legislators to create the peninsula’s own Natural Resources Commission: “(The hearing on legislation) was really interesting conversation,” Bosworth said. “Of course, DNR is opposed to it, but the proponents argued that things are just very unique in that peninsula, and they're not like the rest of the state.”

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Guest: Amy Dolinky of MAC

Topics: The release of a long-awaited state list on unallowed spending items and the expansion of MAC’s consulting services for opioid settlements highlight comments from MAC’s opioid services leader in a special Podcast 83 episode.

“We have the new document that was released by the (Attorney General’s Office) which is really what we would call an ‘unallowable use’ list. So, items or services that are not considered opioid remediation and really do put counties at risk if they are purchasing those types of items,” explained Amy Dolinky, MAC’s director of opioid services.

“But just because an item is not on the list does not make it necessarily allowable,” she added. “So, the guidance that's been put out is really more about how to think about expenditures.”

“What if they spent something that is now showing up on a list. Is there going to be a clawback?” asked host Stephan Currie. “Should there be concerns there?”

“We haven't heard anything from the AG’s Office that explicitly states what will happen if a county has already purchased something that's on the unallowable use list, but I would imagine they would be looking at all expenditures moving forward, and not necessarily be looking back, as that guidance did not previously exist.”

In the episode, Dolinky also discussed how a new partnership with the state Department of Health and Human Services provides a major boost to MAC’s assistance to members.

“We were able to onboard Dan (Kelly), our new technical assistance specialist. And with that role, we're able to start some key projects. The first of those will be regional cohorts, where counties will have an opportunity to connect not just with each other but also with townships and cities … and really look at what are some regional needs that may exist.”

For more details about MAC’s opioid services, visit the Opioid Settlement Resource Center on MAC’s website at micounties.org.

See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606

Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org

“Deena, we are coming off of a week last week where we had a lot of session days, some committee meetings, but some pretty significant legislation passed that we've been following and tracking and have some concerns about. The property tax legislation passed last week. Let's talk a little bit about that, what passed and where things are at,” said host Stephan Currie.

“Yeah, it was pretty tough,” replied MAC’s Deena Bosworth, “So, the House was not in session on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they came in and they posted for a Government Operations Committee meeting for Wednesday at 1 p.m. with nothing on the agenda.

“Now, in Lansing, you hear rumors ahead of time, so we knew exactly what that was: the ‘property tax reform package,’ that they call it. …

“And then … They voted it out within 5 minutes.”

Learn more details about the huge problems this legislation would create for counties and why House actions last week make the prospect of trouble greater in coming days in this episode.

See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606

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First, a key state panel determined on May 15 that lawmakers will have slightly more money in the fiscal 2027 General Fund than was expected in January.

“We anticipated a slight decrease in the General Fund availability for fiscal year 27,” said Bosworth. “The good news is, when all the wonderful economic minds that be got together and came up with their estimate, it's not as bad as they thought it was going to be.

“They're anticipating about $100 million more than they did in January,” she explained.

Currie and Bosworth also discussed the interplay this year of budget negotiations with some key county priorities.

“Most of the time, there are a handful … of things that rise to the top (in budget talks), and those things are decided by … the leaders in the chambers,” Bosworth said. “I think revenue sharing may be one of those this year, because there are some bills tied to those revenue sharing numbers.

“For a recap, the House passed out statutory revenue sharing for counties with a $19.5 million increase (for FY27). The Senate, on the other hand, passed out flat revenue sharing for us, so the same amount as last year, but they tied it to our Revenue Sharing Trust Fund bills. And those bills passed out of the Senate a few weeks ago, unanimously.”

Also addressed in this episode:

A House hearing on a housing package that would bring numerous concerns for county authority and resources.

“This is one we don't look to as, we're not too friendly towards this one,” Currie said. “I think first you need to put down that letter opener when you talk about this, as it's not too friendly, it's a little intimidating,” Bosworth replied.

A property tax proposal with potentially ominous financial consequences for counties.

See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606

Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org

“American Fidelity … provides employer cost-saving solutions and supplemental insurance business benefits to industries,” Adkins said. “But we're more than just an insurance company, Steve. Our goal is to empower employers to make benefit decisions that help both their organization and their employees.

“We help extend their HR department's capacity,” Adkins continued. “We educate, enroll and support the development of competitive insurance packages, all while facilitating administrative efficiency and fostering positive employee experiences. We deliver year-round support, which helps employers overcome benefit administration and budget challenges and offer a different perspective than any of the other insurance companies you may deal with. We like to say we're a different opinion.”

“So, let's talk a little bit about supplemental insurance. You know, why should counties be thinking about supplemental insurance?” Currie asked. “When you just talked about county budgets are tight, it seems contradictory.”

“Local government employees often face things like lower wage growth compared to the private sector, high exposure to frontline work risks like public safety, public works, health care roles, and then also significant out of pocket medical expenses,” Adkins replied. “So, supplemental benefits can help fill the financial gaps created by major medical plans that they have, and these benefits help protect employees from sudden financial expenses, which can indirectly benefit the county.”

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Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org

“Budgets are getting done earlier than we've ever expected or would have thought so far out of the chambers, and a huge, huge win coming out of the Senate. Deena, why don't you tell us about it,” said host Stephan Currie.

“Do I get to dance a little jig while I do it?” MAC’s Deena Bosworth retorted.

“So, the Senate went long (in session) and kicked out their omnibus budget along partisan lines, which we expected,” Bosworth continued. “But the best news is our Revenue Sharing Trust Fund bills passed out of the Senate unanimously. And I mean, that's even better than how it came out of the House last term, which was four no votes out of 110, so I almost consider that unanimous. But it was a fantastic result. Just delighted to see it. It's been our number one priority, our number one policy priority for many years running.

“And it looks like … It might finally be soup.”

Also in the episode, Currie and Bosworth reviewed:

• The first round of testimony on House Republican plans for property tax changes
• Prospects for statutory revenue sharing increases for fiscal 2027
• Possible state responses to the crisis with dams and other water infrastructure in Michigan
• Legislation aimed at boosting housing affordability by restricting local control on development rules

See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606

Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org

Guests: Deena Bosworth and Jimmy Johnson of MAC

Topics: MAC’s Podcast 83 made a bit of history this week, taping a new episode before a live audience at the 2026 Legislative Conference in Lansing on April 28.

Host Stephan Currie and panelists Deena Bosworth and Jimmy Johnson were introduced by MAC President Antoinette Wallace before they dove into a sweeping review of a legislative session now engrossed in budget work.

“The House, just last week, recommended a $19.5 million increase for county statutory revenue sharing, which is great,” Bosworth shared with a pleased audience.

“The Senate, on the other hand, is taking a very different approach,” she continued. “What they're doing is saying another year of flat statutory revenue sharing for counties, but they are going to pass out the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund policy bills. So (we are) excited about that since it’s been our no. 1 policy priority and budget priority for many sessions running now!

“We saw activity in the Senate Appropriations Committee on those bills last week, and I'm happy to say it was a unanimous vote, both parties were unanimous to get it out of committee. I anticipate those bills to be up (in the full Senate later in the week of April 27) and be passed over to the house. (The legislation) passed out of the House overwhelmingly last session. So, theoretically, we should be in good shape, but you never know. …

“And the importance for that is this that ties our statutory revenue sharing to the revenue that the state takes in via the state sales tax. So, if the state sales tax goes up, our revenue sharing goes up, because we've seen, far too often, our revenue sharing cut at the last minute in that conference committee and diverted to other priorities. And it's not anything that you guys can rely on for growth. This will protect those funds in a trust fund, and then it can only be expended for that purpose.”

Currie pivoted the conversation to an even more vital source of county funding ― property taxes: “There have been a couple property tax packages introduced. The governor introduced one, which was a property tax break for seniors. The House has a property tax package now that does a whole bunch of different things. So why don't you talk a little bit about the property tax packages out there?”

“The governor had recommended in her budget a property tax cut for seniors that would amount to, you know, maybe about $300 per year for seniors, which is great,” Bosworth replied. “But it is based on eligibility. The House, on the other hand, just a couple of weeks ago, dropped a larger package of property tax reform bills, and Speaker (Matt Hall) has been very vocal about his intent to tackle property taxes … In his package, he primarily focuses on the state portion of property taxes, so that 6 mill State Education Tax that everyone pays on your property tax bill, he's talking about eliminating it. He's talking about eliminating the state portion of the Real Estate Transfer Tax. … And then he's talking about eliminating all Personal Property Tax on equipment. That is going to be a chunk of change for everyone in this room, for your county budgets.”

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“We're starting to see some movement on budgets, in a significantly earlier time frame, I would say, than last year,” said host Stephan Currie, “which, fingers crossed, is a good sign to getting a budget agreement done maybe earlier than last year (when the budget work extended into October).”

“Steve, I love your optimism,” replied Deena Bosworth, MAC’s governmental affairs director.

“They're both starting to move budgets for fiscal 2027 already in April, but that's prior to the May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (on May 15),” she continued. “So, do they know how much money they have? I don't think that they do. …

“But for us, it's an increase in statutory revenue sharing (of $19.8 million). It's an increase in the Public Safety Trust Fund dollars (of $2.5 million), which we're very happy to see … in a year where we were expecting flat or perhaps even cuts. We're happy to see that they're prioritizing local governments in the House.

“But I'm not quite sure how long that's going to last. They still have to go through the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, and they've got to negotiate with the Senate,” Bosworth explained.

“On the Senate side, I am anticipating a flat revenue sharing recommendation … But what I have been told and assured is that they're going to vote on our Revenue Sharing Trust Fund bills, Senate Bills 559-561.

“And what those bills do is tie our statutory revenue sharing to a percentage of the state sales tax. If the state sales tax goes up, for example this year, we expect it to go up by 10 percent, and our revenue sharing will go up by 10 percent,” she said.

See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606

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Guest: Stephanie Leiser of CLOSUP

Topics: Michigan counties are leaving the era of COVID-prompted aid with good balance sheets, says a University of Michigan researcher in a new Podcast 83 episode.

But with that federal assistance winding down, the role that property taxes play in county operations becomes every more paramount, noted Stephane Leiser, director the Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP).

Leiser was commenting on the findings in “The Fiscal Health of Local Governments,” which studied survey data from counties and other local governments for the years 2022-2024.

“Just starting with property taxes, obviously counties are generally more reliant on property taxes than other types of jurisdictions,” Leiser noted to Podcast host Stephan Currie. “
 So, I'm just looking at the data in Table 11 in our report, and we find for counties at the median, they're getting almost 60 percent of revenue from property taxes.

“There's a pretty big range to that, though,” she continued. “It kind of ranges from about 40 percent on the low end to almost 75 percent on the high end. … So, you know, the property tax in general has pros and cons as a revenue source, right? It's relatively stable. It's relatively predictable. It’s easy to forecast. But it just doesn't grow, right? It doesn't keep up with inflation … due to Prop A and Headlee and all the constraints on revenue.

“So, you take the good with the bad when you're relying on property taxes.”

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Jaclyn Butler discussed how counties can be working today to ensure a good count with Podcast 83 host Stephan Currie.

“I serve as the state's liaison to the Census Bureau for three different programs,” Butler said. “One is the State Data Center, so we disseminate information and updates, data analyses to local and regional partners, and that's actually the hat that I wear for preparing for the 2030 Census and address updates, which I'm sure we'll talk plenty about.

“One of the most important metrics that you would use to assess the success of a census … is undercount and overcount statistics,” she continued. “And the good news for Michigan is that after the 2020 Census, we were not among the states that had a statistically significant undercount or statistically significant overcount, which can happen.”

As for what counties can be doing now, in 2026, Butler said:

“So, the first question is: Do you have a master address list for your county? Or are you working with, say, the Center for Shared Solutions … to compile a master address list for your county? And a master address list matters, because if we want to be able to count people in the 2030 Census, we need to know where they live. And that's actually a census operation that is starting next year to update the master address list.”

See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606

Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org