Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

First of all, we are interested in your general opinions about the state of ethics and integrity in Michigan government. In general, how would you rate local government elected and appointed officials across the state overall in terms of ethical behavior in their official positions?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that Michigan's state legislators should be required to disclose their financial interests (occupations, sources of income, business interests, property holdings, creditors and debtors, etc.)?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that Michigan's state executive branch leaders (Governor, Lt. Gov., department leaders, etc.) should be required to disclose their financial interests (occupations, sources of income, business interests, property holdings, creditors, and debtors, etc.)?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that local government elected officials should be required to disclose their financial interests (occupations, sources of income, business interests, property holdings, creditors and debtors, etc.)?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that local government department and agency leaders should be required to disclose their financial interests (occupations, sources of income, business interests, property holdings, creditors and debtors, etc.)?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that Michigan's state legislators should be required to wait a certain period of time (a year or two) after leaving office before becoming a lobbyist or consultant that does work for the state government, also known as a "revolving door" restriction?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that Michigan's state government executive branch department and agency leaders should be required to wait a certain period of time (a year or two) after leaving office before becoming a lobbyist or consultant that does work for the state government, also known as a "revolving door" restriction?

Michigan currently prohibits state legislators from receiving honoraria (e.g., speaking fees or other payments for service), but allows certain levels of gifts, food, and travel or lodging expenses to be paid by outside interests. To what extent do you agree or disagree that, like state legislators, appointed state government officials should also be prohibited from receiving honoraria while in office?

Michigan currently prohibits state legislators from receiving honoraria (e.g., speaking fees or other payments for service), but allows certain levels of gifts, food, and travel or lodging expenses to be paid by outside interests. To what extent do you agree or disagree that an overall yearly cap should be enforced limiting the total amount of gifts, food, and travel/lodging reimbursements any state government official may receive?

Michigan currently prohibits state legislators from receiving honoraria (e.g., speaking fees or other payments for service), but allows certain levels of gifts, food, and travel or lodging expenses to be paid by outside interests. To what extent do you agree or disagree that expenditures above a certain threshold made on behalf of a state government official should be reported by both the donor and the public official?

Michigan currently prohibits state legislators from receiving honoraria (e.g., speaking fees or other payments for service), but allows certain levels of gifts, food, and travel or lodging expenses to be paid by outside interests. To what extent do you agree or disagree that policies prohibiting honoraria, limiting gifts, and requiring gift disclosures should apply to local government officials across the state?

Does your jurisdiction currently have any policies that prohibit, limit, or require disclosure for honoraria for local elected and/or appointed officials?

Does your jurisdiction currently have any policies that prohibit, limit, or require disclosure for gifts, food, travel, and lodging paid for by outside sources?

Does your jurisdiction’s local government have a code of ethics?

How often, if at all, would you say local elected and/or appointed officials in your jurisdiction’s government face issues that present potential conflicts of interest (that is, where the official or his/her family may receive tangible benefits—personal or business-related—because of actions taken or decisions made as a government official)?

Concerns about government ethics—some with merit, others without—can sometimes be raised by citizens and organizations in the community. Please identify whether your jurisdiction has experienced Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests related to potential ethical concerns in the last five years and whether any of the actions ultimately resulted in findings of legitimate concern.

Concerns about government ethics—some with merit, others without—can sometimes be raised by citizens and organizations in the community. Please identify whether your jurisdiction has experienced accusations of Open Meetings Act violations in the last five years and whether any of the actions ultimately resulted in findings of legitimate concern.

Concerns about government ethics—some with merit, others without—can sometimes be raised by citizens and organizations in the community. Please identify whether your jurisdiction has experienced accusations of impropriety against one or more of your jurisdiction's government officials in the last five years and whether any of the actions ultimately resulted in findings of legitimate concern.

Thinking back over the past five years, have you in your role as a local official ever come under pressure to do something that you felt might be unethical?

Were other officials from your own jurisdiction a source from which you felt pressure to do something during the past five years that, in your role as a local official, you felt might be unethical?

Were officials from other jurisdictions or other levels of government a source from which you felt pressure to do something during the past five years that, in your role as a local official, you felt might be unethical?

Were members of the business community a source from which you felt pressure to do something during the past five years that, in your role as a local official, you felt might be unethical?

Were members of the public a source from which you felt pressure to do something during the past five years that, in your role as a local official, you felt might be unethical?

Were family and friends a source from which you felt pressure to do something during the past five years that, in your role as a local official, you felt might be unethical?

Overall, how satisfied are you with your jurisdiction’s policies and practices governing ethics?