Michigan Public Policy Survey

A unique in the nation survey of local government leaders
Frequently asked questions

Launched in the wake of the Great Recession in 2009, the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) is the nation's first ongoing survey of local leaders from all general purpose jurisdictions across an entire state. In Michigan, this comprises the leaders of 1,856 counties, cities, townships, and villages. The program fills an important information gap in the policymaking process. While we knew the policy priorities and views of the state's businesses and citizens from other surveys, before the MPPS we knew very little about the views of the local officials who are so important to the economies and community life throughout Michigan. 

Covering a wide variety of today's most important issues, the biannual surveys provide long-term tracking of core fiscal, budgetary, and operational policy over time—as well as covering new issues on each survey wave, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure, trust in government, police-community relations, economic development strategies, local government union issues, workforce development, intergovernmental collaboration, energy and environment, and much more. 
 
The MPPS is conducted in partnership with the Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Municipal League, and Michigan Townships Association. 
 

Michigan Capital Building

MPPS reports

MPPS reports are used by local and state policymakers and practitioners, nonprofit organizations, citizen groups, the media and the academic community. The MPPS reports have been viewed more than 30,000 times.
See all MPPS reports

The MPPS data have been used to inform lawmakers when the Michigan Townships Association testified on bills. The outcome is legislation that better serves the public interest, accomplishes its intended objective, and avoids unintended outcomes.

Larry Merrill, senior consultant, Public Policy Associates and former executive director of the Michigan Townships Association

Energy

Most Michigan local government officials say control over renewable energy projects should stay local

This policy brief presents the views of Michigan's local government leaders regarding the division of authority between state and local governments on planning and zoning for renewable energy projects. These findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the fall 2023 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).
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Fiscal Health

MPPS Report: Survey of Michigan local leaders finds that a major short-term boost in financial aid doesn't change fundamentals of fiscal stress

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of their jurisdictions’ fiscal conditions and the actions they plan to take in the coming year, given their financial situations. These findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the spring 2023 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS), and includes responses from 15 statewide survey waves of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) conducted annually each spring from 2009 through 2023.
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State-local relationships

MPPS Policy Brief: Challenges continue for state-local relations, according to Michigan local government leaders

This policy brief presents local government officials’ assessments of the relationship between their jurisdiction and Michigan’s state government. These findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the spring 2023 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS), with comparisons from the fall 2016 wave.
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Surveys conducted

26

The MPPS has conducted 26 surveys of Michigan’s local governments

Response rate

70%+

Since 2012, more than 70% of Michigan’s 1,856 local governments have responded to each MPPS survey

Questions asked

3100

The MPPS has an extensive database of every question asked since the survey began in 2009

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