How Detroit and Michigan's Finances Look in 2026

Daily Detroit · Feb 17, 2026 · 22m

It's budget season in Detroit and in Lansing, and the choices leaders make now will shape city services and state programs for the next few years. On today's Daily Detroit, we talk with Steve Watson of the consulting firm Watson & Yates about where the money comes from and where it might go.​

First, we look at Detroit's budget in Mayor Mary Sheffield's first year as mayor. Detroit's money picture is different from the suburbs, and Steve breaks it into four big "buckets": income tax from people and businesses in the city, fast-growing casino and online betting taxes, state revenue sharing, and…