![[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.
Tools
From James M. Hohman
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
Utah Incurred No Pension Reform ‘Transition Costs’
Michigan House Republicans should take note. … more
Michigan Already Diverges From GASB Rules
Full contributions in only two of last 10 years. … more
Teacher Pension Underfunding Hits $22B
Shows need to close fund immediately. … more
Michigan Pension Underfunding Gaps Widen
Another reason MPSERS should be closed now. … more
There Are Options to Address 'Transition Costs'
Plan would shift teachers to new pension system. … more
'Stranded Costs' Will Always Be Paid by Taxpayers
Keep charter school and contract employees out of MPSERS. … more
Tax Foundation Rates Michigan
State climbs 42 spots after eliminating MBT. … more
Indiana Leads the Manufacturing Belt
Hoosier state has the most to gain from a right-to-work law. … more
Cost of Benefits Is Sinking Detroit
City could run out of money in early 2012. … more
Wasted Talent
More college grads doesn't mean economic success. … more
Film Incentive Bill Sows Its Own Expansion
Legislators want to give more of your money to Hollywood. … more
Michigan Pensions Good at Controlling Fraud
More work needs to be done on controlling costs, though. … more
School Privatization Survey Results Available
Outsourcing helps public schools save millions of dollars. … more
State Admits Compensation Problem
State employment down 21 percent, compensation up 52 percent. … more
No State Favors For Fastest Growing Companies
No state corporate welfare went to these fastest growers. … more
State Compensation Problem Bigger Than Advertised
The state’s negotiators should be on solid footing when asking for concessions. … more
No Auto Resurgence Yet
While the Detroit 3 are now profitable and optimistic, clear job gains have yet to be prevalent. … more
Michigan Tax Reform Signed
The Michigan Business Tax will soon be no more. … more
Don't Confuse Estimates With Data
Center analyst explains job growth estimates to reporter. … more
Michigan Stands Out in Tax Redistribution
Michigan's EITC among most generous in the country. … more
Detroit Free Press Editor Points out Film Incentive Flaws
As Detroit Free Press editor Stephen Henderson points out, the film incentive was meant to generate a film industry in Michigan that would exist without special favors. In light of this goal, the incentive has so far been only an expensive failure. … more
