MPPS publications

This policy brief presents local government leaders' statewide assessments of American democracy as a system of government based on factors such as free and fair elections, rule of law, an unbiased free press, ethical and transparent governance, an informed and engaged electorate, and more.

This policy brief presents Michigan city and township officials’ views on the impacts of recent election administration reforms enacted through state constitutional amendments passed in 2018 and 2022, such as automatic voter registration, registration through Election Day, no-excuse absentee voting, and nine days of early in-person voting.

This report provides an annual update on Michigan local government fiscal health. Using financial data reported to the State of Michigan in 2023, this analysis develops a set of indicators to look at cash, budgetary, long-term, and service solvency for counties, cities, villages, and townships in Michigan. This update finds that there were few significant changes in overall trends for the fiscal health of Michigan local governments compared to the past few years. Federal aid continues to bolster general fund balances and cash reserves, resulting in strong cash and budgetary solvency measures. However, local governments should beware of “fiscal cliffs” as one-time revenues from pandemic-era aid expire. Local governments continue to show variability in their ability to meet long-term financial and service obligations, due in part to restrictive revenue policy and high long-term liabilities from pensions and retiree healthcare benefits.