![[Photo of James M. Hohman]](/media/images/2017/sizes/150x200/Hohman17-med.png)
James M. Hohman
Director of Fiscal Policy
James M. Hohman is the director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He holds a degree in economics from Northwood University in Midland, Mich.
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From James M. Hohman
New Bill Fixes a Pension Problem, Leaves Major Problem Untouched
Boosted pensions aren't the main cause of underfunding … more
Despite Candidate Rhetoric, Michigan Exports to Mexico Continue to Gain
Freer trade is good for Michigan and the country … more
NPR Quotes Hohman to Correct Sanders
NAFTA is not responsible for Detroit's woes … more
Michigan Corporate Welfare’s Secret Giveaway: $1 Billion in 2016
State refuses to disclose how much each company gets … more
Charter Schools Are Not to Blame for Pension Woes
The way to catch up on underfunding is not to rope more people in … more
Grand Rapids: Michigan's Boomtown
Recovered from recession and grown beyond its 2000 peak … more
Governor’s Budget Pays for Medicaid Expansion with a Gas Tax
And spending continues to increase … more
Higher Education Subsidies: Is College More ‘Affordable’ for Those Who Don’t Go?
Gov. Snyder’s budget proposal hikes cost to taxpayers … more
Tax Cuts Beat Selective Favors in Economic Growth
Only broad changes will improve the state's economy … more
School Transportation News Features Center Study
Survey of school service privatization … more
College Grads Attracted to Opportunity Before Bike Lanes
To increase college grads, increase opportunities for all … more
Pension Reform Failure Cost Michigan Taxpayers $6 Billion or More
It harms current employees and retirees as well … more
Michigan Universities Doing Just Fine
And without more taxpayer money … more
The Real Problem with Government Pensions
Hint: It's not markets or greedy workers … more
Don’t Blame Employees for Pension Underfunding
Liabilities caused by lack of investment returns … more
Pension Underfunding Has a Cause — But it is Not Smaller Workforces
Pensions do not operate like Social Security … more
Misdiagnosing the Cause of Pension Problems
Neither revenue sharing nor suburb-dwellers caused underfunding … more
Capping Retirement Contributions Changes Few District Incentives
State aid could easily fluctuate … more
Do Not Assume Economic Development Spending is Effective
Is economic development a nuclear arms race? … more
Pension Predictions Fall Short
Defined-benefit plans don't get funded, they get underfunded … more
House Road Bill Could Be Better, but a Step in the Right Direction
A mix of new and existing revenues to fund road repair … more
Beware Claims of State Budget Cuts
Revenues are increasing … more
How to Improve Economic Development Transparency
State considers changes to economic development disclosure … more
Schoolchildren, Teachers, Taxpayers Harmed When Pension Managers Assume Too Much
The realities of Michigan's $26.5 billion pension liability … more
Unions Should Get Serious About Pension Underfunding
A $2.7 million shortfall causes concern in Grand Rapids … more
Results of Privatization Survey Published in State Media
70 percent of schools contract out for some services … more
Number of Michigan Schools Privatizing Services Grows to 70 Percent
New total up from 66 percent in 2014 … more
Film Incentives Clearly Hurt
Studies show a lack of positive economic impact … more
So Long Film Subsidies
Other economic development programs should be next … more
'Learning In Progress' on Legislative Roads Proposals
How to make Senate’s tax cut trigger the real deal … more
State Press Covers the End of Film Subsidies
Hohman comments on bill signed into law on July 10 … more
Progressive State Income Tax Would Damage Michigan’s Economy
“Progressives” should be careful what they wish for … more
MLive Gets Senate Roads Plan Wrong
No spending reductions required in Senate plan … more
It is Fine to Get Detroit Out of the School Pension System
Other districts already pay for Detroit's liabilities … more
Incomplete Analysis of Pension Scheme Bill Paints False Picture
Fiscal Agency ignores benefit spiking costs, underfunding risks … more
House Road Plan Secures Road Funding
Understanding proposed earmarks for road funding. … more
Unfunded State Employee Pension Liabilities Remain at $6.2 Billion
Closing the system is saving taxpayers from future liabilities … more
Michigan's Economic Recovery More Than Just the Auto Industry
Non-auto manufacturing has made a huge comeback … more
Critics of Growth Projections in House Road Plan Should Be Unnerved by Pension Underfunding
School pension plan requires large dedication of future revenue … more
House Road Plan Relies on Reality
Detroit News wrong to call it "mostly fantasy" … more
Interpreting Proposal 1’s Loss
First, look at current resources … more
Michigan Property Tax Revenues Up
Both rates and revenue on the rise … more
Facts About Road Safety in Michigan
Traveling on Michigan's roads is safer than it's ever been … more
Amendment’s Effects on Higher Ed are Uncertain
Proposal 1 may offer more leeway in funding than intended. … more
Closing School Retirement System the Right Choice
MPSERS has been underfunded in 29 out of the past 30 years … more
Michigan Adds, Loses Thousands of Jobs
More proof corporate welfare doesn't work. … more
'Blown Away' Program Prolonged
Corporate welfare program a continued failure. … more
‘Tax Cut Fever’ – Never Burning Hot
Has tax cut phobia gripped Lansing? … more
How Would You Spend an Extra $130?
How would you spend an extra $130? … more
Politicians Don’t Guide the Economy, You Do
Economic growth starts with the individual, not the state. … more
No 'Replacement Revenue' for Taxpayers on Roads
New plan would give Michigan 2nd highest sales tax. … more
Gov. Snyder’s Detroit Victory Dance Premature
Whether city succeeds remains to be seen. … more
When a School 'Cut' Is an Increase
As shown by the House road funding plan. … more
Job Churn Shows Futility of Corporate Welfare
Cutting income taxes a better way to spur growth. … more
Bankruptcy Judge Calls for Better Pension Funding
House Bill 4804 could help. … more
Corporate Welfare and the Michigan Business Tax
Some subsidies extend another 20 years. … more
One Sector Grew Last Decade: Corporate Welfare
Very few jobs to show for special favors, subsidies. … more
Grasping At Taxes to Pay for Pensions
Schools, municipalities get creative. … more
Job Announcements Don't Equal Job Creation
Too many candidates propping up corporate welfare. … more
Truth Squad’s Failed Proposal 1 Fact Check
Three exemptions to personal property tax, not elimination. … more
Lawmakers Misrepresent Detroit Pension Bill
Legislation does not “cap” potential taxpayer contributions. … more
Media Misinterpreting Detroit Pension Bill
Legislation doesn't address pension underfunding. … more
Money For Detroit Is Clearly a Bailout
Policymakers should stop saying otherwise. … more
Alleged ‘Transition Costs’ Avoidable In Detroit
Shouldn't be used as a roadblock to pension reform. … more
More Detroit Favors Piled On Top of Other Favors
City gets more in revenue sharing than all others combined. … more
How to Make Michigan Schools More Expensive
Mark Schauer's education plan protects the status quo. … more
More State Favors for Detroit
Deferment through borrowing. … more
Detroit’s Special Favors Add Up
Only city in Michigan allowed to tax utility bills. … more
More Higher Ed Spending Questionable
Legislators, taxpayers need answers. … more
Right-to-Work States See Larger Gains
Personal income and population growth numbers released. … more
Right-to-Work Should be Judged on Economic Data
Corporate welfare inquiries not a good barometer of success. … more
Other Michigan Cities in Pension Debt
Not just a Detroit problem. … more
Michigan Still Underfunding Teacher Pensions
Made full contribution just twice in last decade. … more
State Loses 200,000 Jobs, MEDC Finds 2,185
Why tax cuts are better than corporate welfare. … more
Little Disclosure on Business Subsidies
Deals could eat up half of budget surplus. … more
Why Detroit Pensions are Underfunded
Plenty of blame to go around. … more
Don't Extend Granholm's 'Blown Away' Program
Legislators should demand accountability from MEDC. … more
Bankruptcy Court Needs History Lesson
Nuances of emergency manager law missing. … more
Bringing Benefits in Balance to Michigan
Public sector outpaces private sector by $5.8 billion. … more
More Reasons to Like the Upper Peninsula
Civil society creates state fair, poet laureate. … more
A Look at Michigan’s June Spike in Unemployment Rate
More people are looking, not waiting, for work. … more
We're Still a 'Donor State' with Medicaid Expansion
Legislators should avoid spurious arguments to defend votes. … more
EITC 'Improper Payments' Costing Taxpayers
One more reason Michigan should drop program. … more
Elkhart Continues its Economic Growth
Indiana border county outpaces national job growth. … more
The Common Ploy for More Funding
Universities want even more tax dollars. … more
Right-to-Work States Have Higher Incomes
When adjusted for cost-of-living. … more
Multiplier Analyses Often Abused
They don't justify taking the dollar in the first place. … more
A Matter of Perspective
National recovery data looks different depending on the chart. … more
The False Social Concerns About Right-to-Work
Poverty, lack of insurance not higher in right-to-work states. … more
Union Rates Not Dropping Faster In RTW States
Right-to-work not to blame for fewer union members. … more
The Michigan 'Truth Squad' Problem With Facts
Fact-checking group gives in to partisan bent. … more
Proposal 1 Has Nothing to Do With Local Control
Opponents should focus on fiscal responsibility. … more
$1.6 Billion in Savings Lost Under Prop 2
The financial impact of enshrined collective bargaining. … more
Policymakers Still Tripped Up By Pension Transition Costs
"Transition costs" and "plunging credit ratings" are red herrings to pension reform. … more
Fix the Real Problem of the Pension System
Politicians to blame for unfunded liabilities. … more
House GOP Hides Behind Rigged 'Study'
Punting on pension reform keeps the burden on taxpayers. … more
Outsourcing Isn't the Problem
Special favors to bring jobs back not the answer. … more
Comparing Apples to Lemons in Pension Reform
Legislature needs to be transparent about costs. … more
House Pension Reform Savings are Phony
The Senate's plan is much more realistic. … more
