Civic Engagement

The Functioning of Democracy

CLOSUP’s Functioning of Democracy Project sheds light on the health of democracy at the local level in Michigan, drawing directly from the voices and experiences of the state’s elected and appointed local officials. Powered by the Michigan Public Pol...

CLOSUP Updates

New MPPS Report: Michigan local leaders report alarming declines in resident engagement

Oct 28, 2025

A new MPPS report presents the views of Michigan’s local government leaders regarding resident engagement with their local governments, including assessments of the opportunities their local governments provide for engagement, residents’ overall leve...

CLOSUP Updates

New MPPS Report: Michigan local government and law enforcement leaders’ nuanced views on police accountability issues

Jul 8, 2025

A new MPPS report presents the views of Michigan’s local government leaders, local chiefs of police, county sheriffs, and county prosecutors regarding accountability in law enforcement, including opinions on a nationwide officer misconduct database, ...

Local Officials: Residents trust police more where there are policies to improve relations

CLOSUP Updates

Amplifying local voices: Michigan Public Policy Survey shares insights, experiences of Michigan’s township officials

Mar 21, 2025 Township Focus

For more than 15 years, a statewide survey of local government officials has helped to garner the opinions, experiences and insights of thousands of public leaders. These efforts, in which MTA is a partner, glean important information to help inform ...

In the Media

A guide to Washtenaw County proposals

Nov 4, 2024 Read more

This election cycle, Washtenaw County voters will decide whether to approve ballot proposals regarding tax funding of emergency communications systems, veterans relief, senior services and mental health services. The Michigan Daily interviewed Stepha...

CLOSUP Updates

New MPPS Policy Brief: Michigan local government leaders’ concerns about the health of democracy edge upward, including at local level

Aug 14, 2024

A new MPPS policy brief presents the views of Michigan’s local government leaders on a variety of issues across the state for their assessments of American democracy as a system of government, based on factors like free and fair elections, rule of la...

MPPS in the news

Michigan residents more divided than ever on wind power

Jun 18, 2024 Iron County Reporter

When I was a young child, I saw my first wind turbine in the hills of Iowa when my family was driving from Michigan to Colorado. Many people consider them an eyesore, but I thought they looked absolutely wonderful. They were like giant pinwheels that...

MPPS in the news

Biden Wants to Send Billions to Rural America, but This Must Happen First

May 26, 2024 The New York Times

President Biden regularly emphasizes how the major pieces of legislation he has signed — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act — expand opportunities for Americans. This is especially tr...

MPPS in the news

CRYSTAL LAKE Township supervisor views property destruction as political attack

May 24, 2024 Traverse City Record-Eagle

A township official embroiled in a federal lawsuit was the victim of malicious destruction of property after someone threw rocks containing a religious message through her house entry doors shattering glass.

MPPS in the news

Rural Prosperity Summit 2024 Recap

May 23, 2024 MI Office of Rural Prosperity

Over 275 attendees representing 91 rural Michigan communities attended the first-ever Michigan Rural Prosperity Summit on May 20, 2024. The Summit, hosted by the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity, featured 19 speakers and panelists over 10 sessions...

MPPS in the news

Michigan Democrats embrace nuclear energy, but it’s still radioactive to some

May 23, 2024 Mlive

WYOMING, MI — Townhall panelists lauded the new Clean Energy and Jobs Act for more than an hour, emphasizing the economic gains inherent to dumping fossil fuels. They championed energy reforms passed in November which streamline permitting for wind a...

In the Media

Early Public Comment Roundup Gives ICRC A Glimpse At Road Ahead

May 20, 2024 Gongwer

Members of the public have been providing public comments since the inception of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Track, but on Monday, commissioners got a peek at what those commenters were saying about the maps created between Marc...

MPPS in the news

Birmingham pilots survey on recycling

Apr 24, 2024 Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

The city of Birmingham recently launched a new survey on Engage Birmingham that encourages residents to share their understanding of the city’s recycling program, their interest in recycling and how they think Birmingham can improve in this area. The...

In the Media

New House map combats racial gerrymandering in Michigan Legislature

Apr 9, 2024 The Michigan Daily

Three federal judges approved new Michigan House of Representatives voting districts on March 27. The map’s passing followed a lawsuit, Agee v. Benson, filed March 23, 2022, that alleged illegal racial gerrymandering in 13 Detroit-area House and Sena...

In the Media

Wind, Solar and Siting: A Look at Recent Laws and Legislative Trends in the Midwest

Feb 29, 2024 CSG Midwest

Across the Midwest, interest in new solar and wind projects is undoubtedly on the rise as the region and the country shift from fossil fuels to renewables. Less certain: Who should have the authority to approve or deny proposals to build new wind and...

In the Media

Donald Trump's Enemy Is Making a Comeback

Feb 29, 2024 Newsweek

Former Representative Justin Amash, a staunch critic of former President Donald Trump, announced he is running in Michigan's Senate race, shaking up the GOP primary in an election that could determine which party controls the Senate in November.

In the Media

Joe Biden's Chances of Losing Michigan Primary as He Faces Revolt

Feb 26, 2024 Newsweek

Michigan voters are heading to the polls to make their choice in the Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, as some progressives organized a movement to vote "uncommitted" to send a message to President Joe Biden about his support for Israel.

MPPS in the news

A Tupperware party for solar panels: Ann Arbor bulk-buy program makes solar more affordable

Feb 14, 2024 Concentrate

In 2018, Ann Arbor resident Julie Roth vowed to take a break after two years of volunteering 20 hours a week. Then she attended an Ann Arbor District Library event about the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. Roth thought of her...

In the Media

'It's messy': The ups and downs of Michigan's inaugural citizens redistricting commission

Feb 1, 2024 The Detroit News

For six days in November, 88-year-old Susan Smith sat on a polished wooden bench in a windowless federal courtroom in Kalamazoo as judges heard hours of testimony on the future of Michigan’s legislative maps. The testimony, as is the case with redist...

MPPS in the news

Michigan Recycling Trends Upward, More Efforts Needed to Offset Waste Disposal

Jan 28, 2024 Drawing Detroit

With a re-ignited commitment to sustainability, the State of Michigan has experienced an increase in the amount of materials being recycled. According to a 2023 report (2023 Michigan Recycling: State of the State) by the Michigan Department of Energ...

In the Media

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed delivers MLK Day lecture at the Ford School

Jan 17, 2024 The Michigan Daily

The Ford School of Public Policy and Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy hosted Steven Reed, mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, to speak on his leadership and commitment to public service for the University of Michigan’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luthe...

MPPS in the news

What’s in it for rural? Analyzing the opportunities for rural America in IIJA, CHIPS, and IRA

Dec 18, 2023 Brookings

By passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the 117th Congress approved over a trillion dollars in immediate appropriations and nearly $600 billion more in au...

In the Media

Ford School hosts talk on uplifting rural communities

Nov 16, 2023 The Michigan Daily

About 60 University of Michigan students and Ann Arbor community members gathered in Weill Hall Wednesday evening to listen to a conversation about rural communities and sustainability in the United States. Hosted by the Center for Local, State, and ...

MPPS in the news

Michigan Housing Shortages Alarm Local Leaders: U Study

Sep 15, 2023 Mirage News

Michigan local officials are reporting alarm at the lack of housing options across the state-concerns that include single-family homes and multifamily units and cut across affordable, entry-level and mid-level housing availability.

In the Media

Greece, New York: Tough politics define reputation for Rochester town

Sep 5, 2023 Democrat and Chronicle

A new Facebook group emerged this summer, promising to expose alleged corruption in Monroe County's largest suburb.

In the Media

Battleground in Greece: When controversy drives a small NY town, how do you move forward?

Sep 5, 2023 Democrat and Chronicle

A new Facebook group emerged this summer, promising to expose alleged corruption in Monroe County’s largest suburb. Even weeks before a lawsuit was filed accusing the Greece town supervisor of an unpaid labor scheme, people were asking an exceedingly...

MPPS in the news

U-M TO LAUNCH STUDY EVALUATING THE NEED FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Aug 16, 2023 Insight Chronicle

The University of Michigan Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy and Poverty Solutions with the Ford School of Public Policy will launch a study to evaluate attitudes toward certain criminal justice reforms by polling the local government officia...

MPPS in the news

U-M to launch state-wide study evaluating community needs for criminal justice reform

Aug 15, 2023 The Michigan Daily

In the Media

SUCCESSFULLY SITING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN MICHIGAN: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. SARAH MILLS

Aug 12, 2023 Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

With 6,000 megawatts of solar panels currently proposed for Michigan—requiring more than 30 square miles of land—siting will be central to the success of our transition to clean energy. Will people embrace renewable energy infrastructure in their com...

MPPS in the news

Study to examine criminal justice reform in Michigan

Aug 1, 2023 The University Record

In the wake of racial justice movements across the country, the state of Michigan and some of its communities have been implementing new public safety and criminal justice policies. The perspective of Michigan’s local government, public safety and pr...