Retiree pensions/benefits as a factor in local government fiscal distress
Full Question Text
While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government decisions to provide generous retiree pensions/benefits and/or decisions to underfund retiree obligations are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?
| % within Jurisdiction Type | ||||||
| Jurisdiction Type | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County | Township | City | Village | |||
| While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government decisions to provide generous retiree pensions/benefits and/or decisions to underfund retiree obligations are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan? | Very Important | 58% | 47% | 48% | 47% | 48% |
| Somewhat Important | 31% | 25% | 42% | 32% | 29% | |
| Not Important at All | 5% | 12% | 6% | 8% | 11% | |
| Don't Know | 6% | 15% | 3% | 13% | 13% | |
| % within Population Size | |||||||
| Population Category | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <1500 | 1500-5000 | 5001-10000 | 10001-30000 | >30000 | |||
| While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government decisions to provide generous retiree pensions/benefits and/or decisions to underfund retiree obligations are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan? | Very Important | 45% | 47% | 51% | 53% | 60% | 48% |
| Somewhat Important | 27% | 28% | 29% | 37% | 31% | 29% | |
| Not Important at All | 11% | 11% | 13% | 8% | 6% | 11% | |
| Don't Know | 17% | 14% | 7% | 3% | 3% | 13% | |
| % within Region of Michigan | ||||||||
| Region of Michigan | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Peninsula | Northern Lower Peninsula | West Central Lower Peninsula | East Central Lower Peninsula | Southwest Lower Peninsula | Southeast Lower Peninsula | |||
| While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government decisions to provide generous retiree pensions/benefits and/or decisions to underfund retiree obligations are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan? | Very Important | 47% | 50% | 45% | 44% | 44% | 56% | 48% |
| Somewhat Important | 30% | 25% | 32% | 29% | 25% | 31% | 29% | |
| Not Important at All | 14% | 9% | 11% | 15% | 9% | 6% | 11% | |
| Don't Know | 9% | 15% | 12% | 12% | 22% | 7% | 13% | |