Michigan lawmakers aim to finalize state budget by July 1

The Michigan Legislature is working to finish next year’s budget by July 1. Both parties are addressing key issues such as economic development, education, and infrastructure.

Senator Roger Victory discusses road funding solutions

Roger Victory, the state senator for Michigan’s 31st District, spoke with WDET’s Jerome Vaughn at the Mackinac Policy Conference. The Hudsonville Republican says he’s been having conversations with colleagues in the House about potential solutions to Michigan’s road funding challenges. Victory, who has served on the Transportation Committee, says he’s well-versed in the issue.

A key part of the discussion, he says, is how local entities can partner with the state by making direct investments in roads.

“If you study some of the places where the local roads are at, you see those counties or townships, or municipalities — they, themselves, are putting investments into those roads. And they’ve been moving the needle.”

Victory believes this local investment can help create a statewide framework to improve roads.

“If we could come up with half a billion dollars at the state level, incentivizing our locals with half a billion dollars, that’s a billion-dollar-a-year investment.”

He says this approach could significantly improve local roads over the next decade. When asked whether that’s enough funding, he replied that it’s “$10 billion more than is being spent now.”

Victory also emphasized the importance of following best practices and modeling road improvements after communities that are already succeeding. He supports using current funding mechanisms to make smarter infrastructure investments.

Education and workforce development a priority

Victory says another key to attracting businesses to Michigan is building an educated workforce. He cited an example from his own district:

“We have a career-line tech center. Fabulous. Know the problem? It’s so good that there’s a waiting line for students. There should be no waiting list for those students who want to enter that career-line tech center.”

He also says more effort is needed to recruit and support instructors, noting that many skilled professionals face a choice between teaching or pursuing more lucrative jobs in the private sector.

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GM to invest $4B in U.S. manufacturing, reshuffle SUV and EV production

General Motors has announced plans to invest four billion dollars in U.S. manufacturing facilities over the next two years. The Detroit automaker says the investment at several factories around the country will allow it to build more than two million vehicles per year in the U.S. Such a move would help GM avoid certain tariff penalties.

The company’s Orion Township assembly plant will begin making gas-powered, full-sized SUVs and light pickup trucks. That change will shift the manufacturing of several electric SUV and pickup models to Factory Zero on the Detroit-Hamtramck border.

GM CEO Mary Barra says the moves demonstrate the company’s commitment to building vehicles and creating jobs in the U.S.

Detroit casinos see slight revenue boost in May

Detroit’s casinos are reporting slightly improved revenues for the month of May. The three casinos say revenues rose to $114 million last month—up 1.2% from May 2024.

MGM Grand held the largest share of the market at 47%, followed by MotorCity Casino at 30%, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown with 23%.

The three casinos provided $13.4 million in taxes and wagering agreement payments to the City of Detroit last month. They also paid an additional $9.1 million in taxes to the State of Michigan.

Downtown Detroit Partnership rolls out summer fun at Campus Martius

The Downtown Detroit Partnership is working to spread the word about several of its summer events. The organization will once again bring 20,000 tons of sand to downtown Detroit to create “The Beach at Campus Martius,” giving kids a chance to play—and adults a chance to relax.

Other DDP events planned for the summer include trivia nights, a beach party, Thursday markets in Cadillac Square, and live music. Campus Martius Park will also host Movie Night in the D, where attendees can enjoy films under the stars.

Heidelberg Project launches summer series with ‘Second Saturdays’

The Heidelberg Project is kicking off a series of events beginning this weekend. The organization, known for its internationally acclaimed art installation, will once again host Second Saturdays throughout the summer.

Organizers say the goal is to activate the space where the Heidelberg Project is located and bring the community together.

This weekend’s event will feature Puppet Karaoke Detroit, scheduled to run from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Tigers hold MLB’s best record after win over Orioles

The Detroit Tigers continue to set the pace for the rest of Major League Baseball. They currently hold the best record in the league, with 44 wins and 24 losses.

Detroit beat the Orioles in Baltimore last night, 5–3. The two teams face off again tonight (Wednesday), with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

John McElroy is a thought leader in the auto industry. He currently broadcasts three radio segments on WWJ, writes a blog for Auto Blog and a monthly column for Wards Auto.

Speaking with WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island, McElroy warned that the industry is at “a near breaking point, particularly in Michigan.”

“There is a host of things that is hitting the industry all at once, and unprecedented in history,” he said. “So it’s something where I think we need much greater leadership than what we’re seeing right now within the industry itself — from our elected leaders as well — because we’ve seen the U.S. auto industry shrink tremendously over the last couple of decades, and without the proper policies and procedures coming in place, we’re in danger of losing a whole lot more.”

McElroy says the price of cars is too high, tariffs are hurting the market, and the electric vehicle transition has stalled. 

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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Politicians converge on Mackinac Island

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference is underway on Mackinac Island. Hundreds of politicians, business executives and non-profit leaders are spending the week talking to one another…strategizing for the future of the region and networking. Key topics include panel discussions on economic development and education. U-S Senate candidates will introduce themselves and their ideas for next year’s election. Three Democrats are taking part in that panel. They include former Detroit Health Director Abdul El-Sayed, State Senator Mallory McMorrow and Congresswoman Haley Stevens.

For Detroiters, one of the highlights of the Mackinac Policy Conference will be a forum that will include the city’s mayoral candidates. Stephen Henderson and Nolan Finley will moderate the panel. Five candidates will take part in the event:

• City Council President Mary Sheffield
• Council Member Fred Durhal
• Former City Council President Saunteel Jenkins
• Pastor Soloman Kinlock
• Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig

Turmoil in Hamtramck

The Hamtramck city council has put city manager Max Garbarino on paid administrative leave. Mayor Amer Ghalib and others criticized Garbarino’s decision to suspend Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri last week.

Garbarino told the Detroit News that an officer accused the chief of working with an associate of President Donald Trump to bribe the president in exchange for pardoning a federal prisoner. Altaheri denies the allegations. The officer has also been suspended. The mayor who is Trump’s pick to be ambassador to Kuwait, also referenced secretly-recorded audio of the chief arguing with his wife.

The council has temporarily appointed financial officer Aamir Ahsan as city manager.

Stellantis names Antonio Filosa as next CEO

Stellantis has found its next leader in-house. The automaker is promoting its chief quality officer Antonio Filosa to chief executive officer. He’ll replace Carlos Tavares, who resigned last year. Filosa is also the company’s chief operating officer for the Americas. He’ll take over as CEO next month when he’ll announce his leadership team.

Tigers stay hot with league-leading record

The Detroit Tigers remain atop Major League Baseball’s American League. The team had a record of 37 wins and 20 losses at the beginning of the day. The Tigers are on a four game winning streak. They’re playing the final game in a three-game homestand series against the San Francisco Giants. The Tigers have the day off before starting a weekend series against the Royals in Kansas City.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has announced an effort to reduce the regulatory process for opening small businesses in the city. 

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During a late morning news conference on Wednesday, Duggan said new restaurants have to meet building codes, fire codes and health codes. On top of that, there’s a separate city license that Duggan says is redundant.

He recalled a conversation he had with the city’s chief operating officer:

“’Do you know that to open a restaurant, you have to pass the building code, you gotta pass the fire code and you gotta pass the health department code?’ I said ‘Yes. I knew all that.’ He says, ‘On top of that, you need a city of Detroit license.’ The city of Detroit license doesn’t really add anything once you’re up to code on the building, the fire and the health department.  And we have a whole separate set of inspections at a whole different time of year, with a whole different set of fees. He says, ‘Would you be willing to consider forgetting the city of Detroit business license for a restaurant? It’s a duplicate system.’”

The proposed ordinance would eliminate that additional license for restaurants. It also would extend the licensing process from one year to two years. 

The city would also set up a new group of staffers to help walk entrepreneurs through the licensing process. City Council must still approve the process changes, but officials say those changes should be in place by the end of this year. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, May 21, 2025:

• Organizations supporting underrepresented small businesses and entrepreneurs in Michigan have received nearly $9 million in grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The agency’s “Trusted Connector” grant provides money to groups that work on technical assistance, mentoring and outreach.
• The Michigan Chronicle holds its Pancakes and Politics Breakfast at 7:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, at Elevate in downtown Detroit. The topic of discussion is “Cities of Tomorrow – A Blueprint for Progress.” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will be among the featured speakers.
• Detroit ranks No. 58 out of 100 when it comes to its parks, according to the ParkScore Index. The rankings, compiled by the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, compares park systems in the country’s largest cities.  The city ranked 65th last year.
• The NFL released the Detroit Lions’ pre-season schedule on Tuesday. The team will start the pre-season with a nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, at 8 p.m. on July 31. Other pre-season games for the Lions include the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans. The Lions first regular-season game takes place in Green Bay on Sept. 7 against the Packers. 

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Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, Detroit’s casinos have reported a slight uptick in revenue last month. Plus, restoration has begun on the city’s historic Lee Plaza Hotel, and more.

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Casino revenues up in April

Detroit’s casinos are reporting improved revenues for the month of April.   The three gaming houses brought in $109.8 million last month. That’s up slightly from April 2024. MGM Grand controlled the largest segment of the market at 47%. MotorCity Casino had 30%, with Hollywood Casino at Greektown at 23% of the market. Together, the three casinos paid $13 million in taxes and wagering agreement payments to the city of Detroit. They paid another $8.9 million in taxes to the state of Michigan. 

Restoration begins at Lee Plaza Hotel

Restoration of Detroit’s historic Lee Plaza Hotel officially began on Tuesday. Developers and city officials, including Mayor Mike Duggan, celebrated the project at a mid-afternoon event. 

Originally opened in 1929, Lee Plaza was a luxury hotel built by real estate developer Ralph T. Lee. But the building has been vacant for nearly 30 years, falling subject to decay, scalpers, and the theft of its iconic terra cotta lions that once adorned the top of the building. The high-rise will now be turned into affordable senior housing with 117 units.

City to break ground on Rosa Parks Apartments 

The city of Detroit will break ground Thursday on a new affordable housing development in Woodbridge. The 4401 Rosa Parks Apartments will make 60 one- and two-bedroom rental homes available to Detroiters. The city says it’s the first phase in the redevelopment of the former Wilbur Wright school.  The groundbreaking takes place at 11 am. 

Tigers tie for best record in MLB

Believe it or not, the Detroit Tigers are tied for the best record in Major League Baseball. The team has a record of 28 wins and 15 losses, leading the American League. The New York Mets, in the National League, also have a record of 28 and 15.  The Tigers host the Boston Red Sox Wednesday night at Comerica Park. 

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The state treasurer on Wednesday announced $2.5 million in grants for Michigan cities, villages or townships with severe economic problems.

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Those municipalities are defined as ones that are experiencing one or more conditions that qualify as “probable economic distress.”

The funds will be split among 13 cities across the state to support projects, services or strategies aimed at improving their financial stability.

Among the local communities selected to receive funding are Ecorse, receiving $183,000 for water main replacements; Harper Woods, receiving more than $134,000 to fix sanitary sewer outlets; Highland Park, getting $150,000 for two plow trucks; Inkster, receiving $300,000 to replace water system infrastructure; and River Rouge, which will get just over $86,000 to replace infrastructure at the municipal library. 

Visit michigan.gov to view the full list of municipalities receiving funding.

Other headlines for Wednesday, April 30, 2025: 

• A project to end extreme poverty is coming to Detroit this summer.  The organizers of “Global Citizen NOW” announced Wednesday that their international summit will be held in the Hudson’s Detroit building downtown, July 8-11.
• The trial of a Grand Rapids police officer in connection with the death of a Black motorists continues. Officer Christopher Schurr shot and killed motorist Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop in April 2022. Lyoya was shot after a brief struggle and the incident was captured on video.  Schurr was later charged with second degree murder. His attorney says the shooting was in self-defense.
• The only Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during World War II was honored on Tuesday with the Congressional Gold Medal. Known as the “Six Triple Eight,” the unit received the award following a long-running campaign to recognize its efforts.
• The Detroit Pistons are looking forward to Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the New York Knicks. The Pistons won Game 5, 106-103, at Madison Square Garden in New York Tuesday night.

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