2001 - 2002
Douglas Roberts was a lifelong public servant and expert in economic policy. He served twice as Michigan’s State Treasurer under Governor John Engler and spent nearly 40 years shaping the state’s financial future. Known for his expertise in tax policy and school funding, Roberts became one of the most influential fiscal voices in Michigan’s modern history.
Roberts held many important roles in state government. He worked as deputy budget director for Governors Milliken and Blanchard, led the Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis within Treasury, directed the Senate Fiscal Agency, and served as deputy superintendent at the Department of Education. He also advised lawmakers as a top aide to the House Taxation Committee. His sharp analysis and nonpartisan approach made him a trusted advisor across party lines.
Roberts earned a Ph.D. in economics, focusing his research on Michigan’s tax system. That expertise helped him lead one of the most significant reforms in state history: Proposal A. This major change shifted school funding from local property taxes to a statewide sales tax. The result was more equal funding for schools and more stable taxes for homeowners. Proposal A remains a cornerstone of Michigan’s education finance system.
After stepping down as Treasurer in 1998, Roberts returned briefly from 2001 to 2002. He later became director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, where he spent 15 years mentoring students and advising policymakers.
Douglas Roberts passed away in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of policy innovation, public integrity, and lasting reform. He is, remembered by colleagues and citizens alike as a quiet force behind Michigan’s modern fiscal foundation.
