Derk Wilcox

Dec 10, 2024 | mackinac.org | Derk Wilcox

Eight states across the country just passed measures to limit property taxes. Georgia and Florida capped the rates at which property taxes could go up. Michigan already has such a limitation, but its protections have been gradually eroded with the acquiescence of the courts. Michigan enacted what is commonly called the Headlee Amendment in 1978. This limits the amount that property taxes may be increased and requires local governments to allow a public vote on any new taxes or tax increases.

Oct 30, 2024 | mackinac.org | Michael J. Reitz |Michael D. LaFaive |Jarrett Skorup |Derk Wilcox

This article originally appeared in The Detroit News June 25, 2024. When running for governor in 2018, Gretchen Whitmer made a remarkable pledge, promising to open the governor's office to the Freedom of Information Act. “Michiganders should know when and what their governor is working on,” she wrote. On June 23, we reached day 2,000 of the Whitmer administration. She has yet to keep her promise. Every state has a public records law that allows the people to see what their government is doing.

Dec 1, 2023 | mackinac.org | Jason Hayes |Tim Cavanaugh |Derk Wilcox

The people of Michigan have one energy win they can look to as they go into the weekend. This week has been a difficult one for Michigan residents as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed her extreme net-zero energy bills into law, leaving Michiganders with the dual specter of spiking electricity prices and impending electric grid instability.

Oct 30, 2023 | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jarrett Skorup |Derk Wilcox

Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act was meant to allow citizens virtually unfettered access to public records so that public officials and institutions would be accountable. But many government entities push the boundaries of the law and fight tooth and nail to keep their records secret. A standard method often used by schools and universities is an exemption to FOIA called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Mar 29, 2023 | mackinac.org | Derk Wilcox |Michael D. LaFaive

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel published a legal opinion Tuesday on whether a legislatively mandated tax cut was permanent or limited to a single year. Allies of Gov Gretchen Whitmer claimed the 2015 law that created a tax-cut trigger was only meant to reduce the income tax rate for one year. Legal experts and the law’s framers argued that the cut was intended to be permanent unless changed by the Michigan legislature and signed by the governor. Nessel sided with the governor.