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
Woman working on budgeting spreadsheet
Local Government Budgeting

Michigan local governments making progress on best practices in budgeting

This report presents the assessments of Michigan's local government leaders on local budgeting processes, including the prevalence of multi-year budgeting, capital improvement plans (CIPs), long-term financial planning, and views on the appropriate levels of data use, contingency planning, regular budget monitoring, and public transparency.
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City Council Meeting
Resident Engagement

Michigan local leaders trust residents less, but say that local democracy remains strong

This policy brief presents Michigan local government leaders’ views on resident engagement in their communities. One significant area of concern is resident representation on local elected and appointed boards.
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To shore up American democracy, look to city hall
Fiscal Health

Smaller and more rural Michigan local governments are struggling with increased 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.
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I appreciate the professional work of the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) and the information included in their public policy survey reports. The survey data is gathered, assembled, and shared logically in a manner that allows for practical application. I focus on the summary and then follow on to the detailed supporting data and illustrative charts. The survey findings and work of CLOSUP are critical tools in our policy development toolbox. We use it in our local municipality to inform, discuss, guide, and develop appropriate policies.

Bud Norman

Administrator/Controller, Branch County
Student reading
An extensive collection of more than a decade of MPPS questions and data tables is available for easy use by researchers, policymakers, students, journalists, and anyone else interested in learning more about local government issues and perspectives.

Surveys conducted

28

The MPPS has conducted 28 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

3363

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

More resources

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