Treasury Talk Podcast

This month, Michigan State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks welcomes Eric Bussis, chief economist and director of the Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis in the Michigan Department of Treasury, to the podcast. Fresh off the latest Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, Eric gives background to these important meetings, which help guide Michigan's revenue projections for coming years. In turn, the M...

In this episode, State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks rounds out National Financial Literacy Month chatting with Dondreá Brown, founder and Executive Director of Young Money Finances, and leader of the Financial Empowerment Collaborative. In his work as a speaker, program designer, and author of I’m BROKE: The Framework , Dondreá combines personal experience with practical strategies to inspire others...

Join State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and Michigan State Budget Director Jen Flood as they discuss Governor Whitmer’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget recommendation. In the latest Treasury Talk episode, they walk through the major proposals shaping the FY27 budget, including Michigan’s literacy investment, plans to stabilize Medicaid, and targeted tax relief for working families and seniors. Flood also hig...

Join State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Sarah Rusnell, Treasury's Outreach Manager, to discuss the 2026 filing season. Important topics include the big change with Michigan Treasury eServices, available tax credits and refund timing.  RESOURCES  For individual taxpayers: Michigan Treasury eServices - Web platform for individual income taxpayers and tax professionals to file their...

What do billion-dollar road funding shifts, a new marihuana tax, and leadership in national tax policy have in common? Michigan’s Treasury is at the center of it all. In this episode, we meet Chief Deputy Treasurer Lance Wilkinson and hear about his path into public service and tax policy. He shares insights into the role of the Chief Deputy Treasurer and how leadership at Treasury supports the de...

Did you know you might have money waiting for you—and not even know it? In this episode, we’re joined by Terry Stanton to explore Michigan’s Unclaimed Property program. Learn how the program works, discover recent improvements driven by human-centered web design, and hear about the friendly rivalry heating up between Michigan and Ohio this November as both states compete to return forgotten funds...

Join State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Anne Cram , director of Treasury’s City Income Tax Bureau, for a conversation about how city income taxes work in Michigan. In this episode, you'll get to know Anne and her path in public service, learn how city income taxes are managed, who they impact, and how they benefit Michigan residents. You'll also learn about Treasury’s role in...

Join State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Ryan Laruwe , executive director of Treasury’s Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) as they discuss MIC's new 'Dig Once' Portal, the Asset Management Champions training program, and the importance of infrastructure work to all Michiganders.  RESOURCES Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) website MIC’s 30-Year Integrated Infrastru...

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Outreach Manager Sarah Rusnell discuss the many free resources and educational benefits that MI Treasury offers to both taxpayers and tax professionals.  RESOURCES Outreach webpage : Treasury-hosted and Invitation/Partnership events are listed on our Events Calendar. We have scheduled education events this summer, check them out and register! Sign up...

Join MI State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guests, Ashley Kuykendoll and State Senator Sarah Anthony , for a special edition of the podcast to acknowledge the second anniversary of the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair” (CROWN) Act legislation. The CROWN Act expanded the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and banned race-based hair discrimination in the state of Mich...

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Delsa Chapman discuss a groundbreaking financial education program for Michigan's teens. Delsa is the deputy superintendent for the Division of Assessment, School Improvement, and Systems Support at the Michigan Department of Education.  Michigan is the 14th state in the U.S. to guarantee that its students have access to a personal finance educat...

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Flora Boles discuss Treasury’s Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund and how the scholarship helps Michigan's foster youth succeed in college. Flora is a departmental specialist with the Michigan Education Trust (or MET), and facilitates programs that support first generation college students.  "The numbers are sobering. Nationally, seven...

Old apartment security deposits, forgotten paychecks, insurance refunds sent to a previous address or inheritances from a distant relative -- you could have cash waiting for you! State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Terry Stanton discuss how to find your missing money, checks and valuables and the easy online process to claim your property.  Former TV anchorman, groundbreaking communicat...

Deputy Public Information Officer Ron Leix and Communications Outreach Manager Sarah Rusnell discuss what Individual Income Tax AND Business Tax filers need to know for the upcoming 2025 tax season. Their conversation encompasses expanded tax credits, the retirement tax rollback, a Sales, Use & Withholding (SUW) filing reminder, electronic filing options, and why choosing a qualified tax prepa...

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Michigan's Taxpayer Advocate Robin Norton discuss taxpayers’ rights. Robin's official roles include her position as deputy office director of Advocacy Services and her work is dedicated to  ensuring that Treasury's processes are fairly administered.  RESOURCES For Taxpayers Taxpayer Advocate Website Taxpayer Advocate Telephone: 517-636-...

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Kelly Frump , director of Human Resources at Michigan Department of Treasury, talk about hiring trends, interview tips, and why a career in public service might be a good fit for YOU. RESOURCES Treasury Careers State Employment (michigan.gov) Employee Benefits (michigan.gov)

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Jessica Thomas , director of Treasury’s Bureau of Local Government and School Services (BLGSS) discuss how the Early Warning System offers data-driven, proactive help to Michigan school systems exhibiting signs of potential fiscal stress. By identifying struggling districts before small financial trends become unmanageable, BLGSS can help districts wi...

Join Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and returning guest, Chief Economist and Director of Treasury’s Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis Eric Bussis , as they discuss May's Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC), Michigan’s latest economic information, and what the economic future may look like for the state in 2025.  Resources CREC (May 2024) Conference Materials (Agen...

Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Megan Patino , deputy director of the Michigan Education Trust (MET), discuss the many benefits of saving for college or trade school using a Michigan 529 Education Savings Plan. May 29 is ‘529 Day’ and Megan brings awareness to the importance of families investing in education, and ultimately, Michigan’s future. RESOURCES Michigan Edu...

Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Scott DeVarona , MiABLE program director,  discuss the benefits of the disability savings program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. MiABLE stands for Michigan Achieving a Better Life Experience . April is ‘Able to Save Month’ and the MiABLE program is designed to help ease the financial burden challenging people with...

Listen to Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and her guest, Veteran and Chief Operations Officer Corey Grant as they discuss leadership best practices for you and your organization.  March is Women's History Month and Rachael and Corey weave 'women in leadership’ into the  conversation. RESOURCES Theory X And Theory Y, Douglas McGregor Harvard Business Review: Leadership Tha...

Join Michigan's State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and returning guest, Chief Economist and Director of Treasury’s Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis Eric Bussis , as they discuss Michigan’s latest economic forecast and the state budget. SPOILER : Director Bussis predicts our state’s economy will be improving as we move forward, and we can expect to find Michigan ‘strong and stable’ in 2024.  Re...

Guest host and Deputy Public Information Officer Ron Leix converses with Pam Bennett,  director of the Bureau of Lean Innovation and Improvement at the Michigan Department of Treasury. Pam's area oversees People & Culture, and Innovation.  Listen in as Ron and Pam discuss how MI Treasury can be improved, how the department embraces 'constructive conflict' through Change Manageme...

Guest host and Deputy Public Information Officer Ron Leix with Treasury Outreach Manager for the Office of Operational Excellence Sarah Rusnell, discuss what both Individual Income Tax AND Business Tax filers need to know for the upcoming 2024 tax season. Important topics include tax rate changes, tax credits, retirement tax, the Sales, Use & Withholding (SUW) annual filing deadline reminder,...

Two Friends Talking : Join Chief Deputy Treasurer Jeff Guilfoyle ( sitting in for Treasurer Rachael Eubanks ) as he converses with his long-time colleague Glenn White , Deputy Treasurer for Revenue Services. The two discuss Glenn’s mid-life career change, his toughest challenges as Deputy Treasurer, and Glenn’s legacy of leadership within the Michigan Department of Treasury.