detroit news

The Detroit City Council recently passed a $3 billion budget for 2025-26, revising roughly $36 million of Mayor Mike Duggan's initial proposal to better align with residents' needs across areas including affordable housing, youth employment, senior transit, and small business equity. This marks the 12th consecutive balanced budget since Detroit's 2014 bankruptcy exit and is Duggan's final budget as mayor, with his veto deadline set for April 11. Detroit's financial structure relies on four main revenue sources: $432 million from income tax, $292 million from casino wagering taxes, $174 million in property taxes, and $253 million in state revenue sharing. Council members negotiated through late nights to redirect funds toward core community needs, managing to reshape 2% of the General Fund and 1% of the entire budget despite only $1.58 billion being eligible for discretionary changes.

Flint City School District is facing significant financial strain after the U.S. Department of Education abruptly moved up the deadline for federal reimbursement requests tied to pandemic relief by one year, retroactively enforcing it without public warning. This decision places nearly $42 million meant for Michigan schools in jeopardy, with Flint potentially losing $1.4 million of its expected $15.6 million from the American Rescue Plan. Statewide, 27 school districts had similar contracts, with twelve expecting approximately $40 million in reimbursements under the American Rescue Plan and fifteen more anticipating $1.9 million from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The cuts threaten infrastructure projects and essential programs serving vulnerable students, particularly in communities already burdened by environmental and systemic injustice like Flint, Benton Harbor, and Pontiac.

Detroit artists Asaka The Renegade and Sam Watson recently competed in T-Pain's March Music Madness competition, with Asaka ultimately winning the contest. The competition, personally funded by Grammy-winning artist T-Pain, offered an impressive prize package including a single deal with Nappy Boy Entertainment, a feature from T-Pain, marketing support, a new car, and studio equipment. Despite facing thousands of competitors and a scandal where another contestant attempted to block Asaka from advancing through underhanded tactics, Asaka persevered and emerged victorious on April 1st. Both artists, who are signed to CM2 Entertainment, view this achievement as a significant milestone for themselves and for Detroit's music scene, with Asaka now focusing on his upcoming record with T-Pain.