Michigan Public Policy Survey

Showing 91 - 120 of 156 results

'Complete Streets' policies more popular in Michigan's urban areas

Jun 18, 2015

Complete Streets, policies that encourage local governments to take all users—pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users and drivers—into account when designing and constructing roads, have a good deal of support among Michigan local officials, but...

Local leaders give high marks to road commissions

May 29, 2015

By Greta Guest, Michigan NewsMost local government leaders have good things to say about their road commissions that maintain county primary and township local roads upon which so many Michigan residents rely.The Michigan Public Policy Survey at the...

CLOSUP’s Ivacko talks MPPS and ethics with Michigan Radio’s Stateside

Mar 23, 2015

The latest Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) reveals how local leaders feel about the need for ethics reform in the Great Lakes State. Tom Ivacko (MPA '93), program manager of the Ford School’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP),...

Major funding increase needed to fix roads, local leaders say

Feb 23, 2015

By Greta GuestComplaining about bad roads in Michigan is about as ubiquitous as grousing about the weather.How bad are the roads? The Ford School's Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy surveyed top elected and appointed officials in the state's...

News

As Detroit bankruptcy wins federal judge approval, a summary of Ford School engagement

Nov 7, 2014

As the Detroit bankruptcy agreement wins federal judge approval, we’re sharing a quick roundup of stories highlighting the Ford School’s engagement. In July of 2013, just after the bankruptcy filing was announced, BBC Radio interviewed Tom...

News

For better or worse, Michigan's fiscal health post-recession

Oct 2, 2014

For the first time in six years, more Michigan communities report that they are better able to meet their fiscal needs this year than those who say they are less able to do...

CLOSUP illuminates local leaders' perceptions of tax-exempt properties

Apr 10, 2014

"It's no overstatement to say that property tax revenues are really the lifeblood of local government. So what do local leaders think about the tax-exempt properties within their borders—the ones that take up municipal services, but are exempt from...

Informing local leaders about fiscal health and economic development

Mar 28, 2014

Five years ago, the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy launched an ongoing survey of the chief elected and appointed officials in every one of Michigan's 1,856 counties, cities, townships and villages, large and small. Among the survey's goals?...

Informing local leaders about fiscal health and economic development image

News

University of Michigan poll: Detroit bankruptcy was the right decision

Feb 3, 2014

Despite concerns about Detroit's bankruptcy, 56 percent of local government officials in Michigan said it was the right thing to do, according to a poll by the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy. More than half of local leaders...

Placemaking rises as economic development tool

Jan 22, 2014

More than a third of local jurisdictions reported using "placemaking" as an economic development strategy in 2013, up from 21 percent in 2009, according to the latest Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy poll.Placemaking is a community and...

MPPS report: local leaders say unions again made most of the concessions in contract negotiations

Oct 20, 2013

Local government leaders in Michigan report their employees' unions made more concessions in negotiations this year than the jurisdictions did, according to a University of Michigan survey.Among the 26 percent of Michigan's local governments that...

MPPS report: more local leaders say finances on upswing, but struggles remain

Oct 1, 2013

The fiscal health of Michigan's local government units has improved, but many—particularly small jurisdictions—still struggle to meet their financial needs, according to a University of Michigan survey.Overall, 29 percent of jurisdictions say they...

Local leaders split over Gov. Snyder's job performance, state's direction

Aug 12, 2013

Just over half, or 51 percent, of Michigan's local government leaders say Republican Gov. Rick Snyder is doing a good or excellent job, while 45 percent say his performance is just fair or poor, according to a University of Michigan...

Joint Michigan Public Policy Survey and MSU survey shows distrust of the federal government grows.

Jul 2, 2013

As the nation prepares to celebrate its independence from British rule, trust in the government formed 237 years ago continues to decline.Fewer than one in 10 local government leaders, or 6 percent, in Michigan trust the feds to "do what is right"...

CLOSUP survey: Most local leaders want residents engaged, but see limits

May 28, 2013

Most local government leaders in Michigan believe residents should provide input into policymaking, but relatively few think they should be deeply involved, according to a University of Michigan survey.Nearly two thirds (64 percent) of Michigan's...

Local leaders: In residents we trust

Mar 15, 2013

Local government leaders in Michigan are more likely to trust their residents than their residents are to trust local governments, according to a University of Michigan survey.More than half of Michigan's local leaders, or 53 percent, say they trust...

News

Detroit Free Press cites CLOSUP findings in editorial on state finances

Feb 28, 2013

The Detroit Free Press cited a recent Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) in an editorial arguing that the well-being of Michigan cities must be considered when balancing Michigan's state budget. As explained in the editorial, Michigan...

MPPS findings show desire for funding reform, Tom Ivacko tells Michigan Radio

Feb 8, 2013

The latest poll in the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS), conducted by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), received coverage from Michigan Public Radio and other area media outlets for shedding light on issues of government...

Local leaders: Funding reforms needed to avoid service cuts

Jan 30, 2013

Local government leaders in Michigan report that the way their jurisdictions are funded requires significant reform to maintain services in the wake of the Great Recession, according to a University of Michigan survey.Fewer than half of local...

News

Detroit Free Press cites CLOSUP report, distrust of state as factor in tax reform

Nov 19, 2012

The Detroit Free Press cited a new Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) published by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) in an article on the possible elimination of Michigan's personal property tax. The report found that 74%...

Most local leaders say personal property tax is complex, but important to their budgets

Nov 19, 2012

A majority of Michigan's local government leaders believe revenue from the personal property tax is important to their budgets, according to a University of Michigan survey.The Michigan Personal Property Tax is assessed on businesses for their...

CLOSUP's Michigan Public Policy Survey on union concessions appears in Bridge Magazine, MLive.com, more

Oct 19, 2012

Bridge Magazine and MLive.com outlined key findings from a new Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) published by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP).The survey, "Michigan's local leaders satisfied with union negotiations,"...

MPPS report: local leaders report that unions made most concessions in contract negotiations

Oct 16, 2012

Local government leaders in Michigan report that their employees' unions made concessions in negotiations this year more frequently than the jurisdictions did on pay, benefits, staffing and work rules, according to a University of Michigan survey.By...

News

Michigan Public Policy Survey reflects divide amongst local leaders over the state's emergency manager law

Sep 27, 2012

The latest poll from the Michigan Public Policy Survey reflects divided opinions over the state's emergency manager law, the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News have reported. The MPPS findings, released Monday, found 38 percent of local leaders...

Policy Points: Thomas Ivacko discusses Michigan Public Policy Survey on the state's emergency manager law

Sep 24, 2012

In the latest installment of "Policy Points," Thomas Ivacko says less than half (38 percent) of Michigan's local leaders support the state's emergency manager law, while about a third (30 percent) oppose it and the rest are neutral or unsure,...

CLOSUP survey: Fiscal stress easing for Michigan's local governments, many still suffering

Sep 4, 2012

Only one-third of the local governments in Michigan say they are somewhat or significantly less able to meet their fiscal needs this year—a big drop from last year when nearly half reported having such difficulties, according to a University of...

In the news: Michigan Public Policy Survey on job performance of Governor Snyder, Michigan Legislature

Jul 25, 2012

The Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy released a new Michigan Public Policy Survey about the popularity of Michigan's governor today. The survey, which polled 1,329 county and municipal officials, has quickly attracted media attention from...

CLOSUP survey: Michigan's local leaders more positive about Gov. Snyder, state's direction

Jul 25, 2012

Local government leaders in Michigan gave Gov. Rick Snyder a significantly higher job approval rating in 2012 compared to a year ago, and the officials were much more optimistic about the state's direction, a University of Michigan survey says.But...

CLOSUP survey: More local governments in Michigan using data to make decisions amid fiscal crisis

Jun 20, 2012

Just over two-thirds of Michigan's local governments say they use "data-driven decision making" as they try to cut costs and boost efficiency amid tough economic times, a new University of Michigan survey reports.Local governments collect and...

News

CLOSUP's Michigan Public Policy Survey on state funding incentives for local collaborations appears in local, regional news outlets

Apr 9, 2012

Findings from a recent Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) published by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) were cited in an Associated Press story published in a number of local and regional news sources including the Detroit...