A recent Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) poll on the financial health of Michigan local governments received coverage in a wide variety of Michigan news sources, including the Detroit Free Press, Crain's Detroit Business, The Detroit News, Michigan Radio, The Bond Buyer, and The Craig Fahle Show.
The results of the poll show that fiscal health of Michigan's local government units has improved, but many—particularly small jurisdictions—still struggle to meet their financial needs. Overall, 29 percent of jurisdictions say they are better off this year, while 29 percent say the opposite. This is a significant improvement from the low point in 2010 when just 9 percent were better off and 61 percent were worse off. However, the report finds that smaller municipalities are having a tougher time than those with populations of more than 30,000.
Tom Ivacko, the CLOSUP's program manager, noted that there is not much optimism among local leaders despite the improvement, stating:
"We see a three year trend now of gradual improvement in fiscal health, but the speed of that improvement has been cut almost in half in the last year. So that's a concerning sign, I think, looking ahead."
CLOSUP poll on Michigan's fiscal health covered by multiple news outlets
October 4, 2013