Media Highlights
Our team members are recognized as go-to public finance experts in both Southeast Michigan and the national press.
The Detroit News
Gas tax holiday is a bad deal for Michigan
W&Y Partner Steve Watson explains why suspending the state gas tax is a bad idea.
October 20, 2026 | Steve Watson
State of Michigan, Office of the Governor
Governor Whitmer Appoints Steve Watson to State of Michigan Investment Board
W&Y Partner Steve Watson will join the five-member SMIB, which is the investment fiduciary for $122 billion in State of Michigan Retirement System assets, for a four-year term beginning November 27.
October 1, 2026 | Office of the Governor
The Detroit News
RenCen Plan is a Win for Detroit’s Neighborhoods
W&Y Partner Steve Watson explains how the RenCen redevelopment plan is designed to unlock new state and downtown revenue for Detroit's neighborhoods.
October 1, 2026 | Steve Watson
Daily Detroit
The Math Behind Why Detroit Needs Growth
W&Y Partner Steve Watson joined the Daily Detroit podcast to discuss Detroit’s new revenue and budget outlook and why we need more economic growth.
September 28, 2026 | Jer Staes and Steve Watson
Daily Detroit
Michigan’s $75 Billion Budget, Explained
W&Y Partner Steve Watson joined the Daily Detroit podcast to discuss Michigan’s FY27 Budget, economic development, and property taxes.
July 7, 2026 | Jer Staes
Crain’s Detroit Business
Lawmakers pulled an all-nighter to pass a budget. What’s in it and what didn’t make the cut.
W&Y Partner Steve Watson’s insights on the FY27 State Budget deal are referenced.
July 6, 2026 | David Eggert
Crain’s Detroit Business
There’s a better way to solve Michigan’s ‘pop-up tax’ problem
Opinion piece by W&Y Partner Steve Watson on Michigan’s proposed property tax reforms.
June 12, 2026 | Steve Watson
The Detroit Free Press
Detroit could be on hook for $27M in demo dirt cleanup
W&Y Partner Steve Watson offered his analysis of the fiscal impact to the city.
June 4, 2026 | Violet Ikonomova
Daily Detroit
Detroit’s City Budget, Explained
W&Y Partner Steve Watson and Outlier Media’s Briana Rice joined the Daily Detroit podcast to discuss Detroit’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
April 15, 2026 | Jer Staes
Crain’s Chicago Business
What Chicago can learn from Detroit’s bankruptcy and resurgence
Opinion piece in Chicago’s popular “A City That Works” series by W&Y Managing Consultant Katrina Wheelan
February 27, 2026 | Katrina Wheelan
Daily Detroit
How Detroit and Michigan's Finances Look in 2026
W&Y Partner Steve Watson joined the Daily Detroit podcast to discuss Detroit’s budget and long-term economic forecast, and how they’ll be impacted by broader changes in Michigan’s state budget.
February 18, 2026 | Jer Staes
Daily Detroit
Michigan Just Broke $645 Million in Promises
W&Y Partner Steve Watson joined the Daily Detroit podcast to discuss State House Speaker Matt Hall’s move to cancel $645 million in already-approved state funding, and its consequences for the projects and people who depend on that funding.
December 15, 2025 | Jer Staes
BridgeDetroit
Sheffield plans philanthropic partnerships as federal cuts threaten social programs
November 11, 2025 | Malachi Barrett
The Detroit Free Press
Detroit's finances on track for next mayor, but questions loom about remaining challenges
October 9, 2025 | Dana Afana
Government Finance Review Magazine (GFR)
Structural Budget Balance: Putting the Principle into Practice
April 2025 cover story and feature by W&Y Partner Steve Watson and Kyle Jen