Todd Perkins - Candidate for Mayor

1) Federal policies often shift in ways that impact cities’ ability to provide essential services and maintain stability, especially in today’s political climate. What are the key federal programs you believe most directly affect Detroiters, and how would you advocate to preserve or replace these supports?

Response: Federal policies shape so much of daily life in Detroit - housing, education, transit and jobs. As Mayor, I’ll fight to make sure Detroit gets its fair share.

We’ll use the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to help build eight-thousand new homes. This move will create more stable housing and will grow our tax base. We’ll invest money from Community Development Block Grants directly into underserved neighborhoods by fixing streets, improving safety, and supporting our communities.

I’ll work with our congressional delegation to protect and keep these programs. When federal cuts come, especially to schools or job training we won’t wait. Through the Perkins Plan, we’ll build local solutions through our recreation centers and workforce programs that will act as a pipeline of resources so our youth and returning citizens have a real path forward.

In this political climate, we need a mayor who can anticipate federal shifts and respond with strength and clarity, not just react. As an attorney and as a C-E-O,

I’ve spent decades navigating complex systems and advocating for people’s rights. I will bring that same tenacity to City Hall ensuring that federal policy changes don’t leave Detroiters behind.

2) With the challenges posed by economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and evolving federal policies, what will be your approach to collaborating with local, regional, and national leaders to protect Detroit’s progress? What specific area—such as housing, education, or economic development—will you prioritize?

Response: Collaboration across all levels of government is no longer optional… it’s essential. As Mayor

I will prioritize building strong relationships amongst all branches of government to make sure the needs of Detroiters are met.

My top priority will be economic development. With a strong economic foundation in place… we can then spend more money on public safety… create more affordable housing… and fortify our schools.

Through The Perkins Plan, I’ll lead with a focused job creation strategy, expanding advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and sustainability jobs right here in Detroit.

I’ll work alongside our congressional and state leaders to unlock federal and private dollar not just for downtown, but for our neighborhoods.

We’ll launch a Detroit First Local Hiring Initiative making sure Detroiters are first in line for jobs tied to public or federally funded projects.

When inflation hits and budgets get tight, I’ll push for regional teamwork with Wayne County and nearby cities to share services like transit and emergency response.

And let me be clear we will not back down from protecting affordable housing and public education.

I’ll partner with HUD, M-S-H-D, and local nonprofits to build eight-thousand new homes…and stop displacement before it starts.

And in our recreation centers, we’ll offer tutoring, wellness programs, and mental health support for our kids no matter what’s happening in Lansing or Washington.

Detroit can’t wait. We have to act with urgency and unity.

3) A review of the City of Detroit’s Economic Outlook 2024-2029, dated February 2025, states that:

“Detroit’s economic recovery has encountered significant headwinds over the last eight months, but we expect it to regain its footing this year as the macroeconomic environment becomes more favorable. We note, however, that there is substantial uncertainty surrounding our forecast, particularly regarding policy changes with the new presidential administration, as well as with the pace of inflation and the Federal Reserve’s response.”

The report further states that the gains made in the number of jobs in the city and the number of Detroiters employed have declined since mid-2024. With this sobering background information and the instability caused by the tariff policies and the anticipated gutting of federal programs, what will your strategy be to:

A. Monitor the general fund for impacts, identify the trigger for a reduction in revenue that would necessitate scaling back services or triggering layoffs, and/or slow down the pace of service delivery?

B. Engage other levels of government to arrive at a plan of action?

Response: As Mayor, I’ll put a Real-Time Revenue Risk Monitoring System in place - right away.

This system will track our general fund in real-time — looking at monthly trends in income tax, property tax and state and federal support. If we see a drop—say 3-percent over two quarters, we’ll know it’s time to act. That early warning gives us the chance to respond before things get worse.

We’ll protect what matters most — public safety, sanitation and services for youth and seniors. I’ll use a tiered approach to service delivery and lead a full audit to cut waste, and consolidate where we can. Our goal is smart sustainability, not painful austerity.

We’ll also grow Detroit’s revenue by rebuilding our tax base. That means developing eight-thousand new homes and bringing in businesses in fields like clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

Now, on collaboration—I’ll lead from day one by bringing back regular roundtables with Wayne County, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and our leaders in Congress. We need to speak with one voice when federal funding is on the line.

With my legal background and experience navigating government systems, I know how to get results. I’ll join the U.S. Conference of Mayors and advocate directly on Capitol Hill.

We’ll be proactive not reactive and we’ll keep Detroiters informed every step of the way.

Transparency is a top priority in my administration.

My commitment is fiscal responsibility with a human-centered approach.