Policy Topics

Public services

Showing 91 - 120 of 618 results

In the Media

Survey: Americans are ready to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Jan 19, 2015 Michigan Radio

...

In the Media

Editorial: Privatization comes with a downside

Dec 1, 2014 The Port Huron Times Herald

...

In the Media

Jobs Bills That Don't Create Jobs: What Republican Control Could Mean

Nov 30, 2014 Huffington Post

...

In the Media

Michigan local governments largely satisfied with privatized services

Nov 13, 2014 myscience.us

...

In the Media

Interview on local government privatization

Nov 13, 2014 Capital City Recap with Michael Cohen, WILS Radio 1320am, Lansing

...

In the Media

U-M survey: Most gov'ts OK with outsourcing

Nov 13, 2014 Lansing State Journal

...

In the Media

Survey: Pennsylvanians like fracking more than New Yorkers

Sep 8, 2014 stateimpact.npr.org

...

In the Media

Proximity to Great Lakes a key factor in local officials views

Sep 6, 2014 Holland Sentinel

...

MPPS

Michigan local leaders’ views on recycling: current challenges and opportunities for improvement

April 27, 2022

This report is the second in a series on recycling issues in Michigan communities. It presents the views of Michigan’s local government leaders on challenges their jurisdictions face and opportunities to introduce, expand, or improve recycling...

MPPS

Recycling Issues, Policies, and Practices among Michigan Local Governments

March 17, 2022

This report presents the views of Michigan’s local government leaders regarding a variety of recycling issues and policies in their jurisdictions, including what types of recycling services are offered in communities across the state, changes to...

Privatization of Local Government Services: Understanding Differences Across Michigan’s Urban- Rural Spectrum

June 1, 2021

Kristina Curtiss

For decades, municipalities have taken on numerous tasks that the private sector would have otherwise performed. Privatization of these services, and the way local governments prioritize them, draw into question the functioning of democracy. Be it...

MPPS

The functioning of democracy at the local level: a compendium of findings from the Michigan Public Policy Survey of local leaders

December 14, 2020

The Ford School’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) has released a new resource that summarizes Michigan local government leaders’ views on democracy and democratic governance. The findings come from the Michigan Public Policy...

MPPS

Michigan local leaders expect increased challenges for the 2020 election, but are confident about administering accurate elections

October 5, 2020

This report presents the opinions of Michigan’s township and city officials on issues related to election administration in their jurisdictions, including expected challenges and confidence in election security. Data from a parallel survey of...

Fiscal Strategy Memos

Fiscal Strategies: Regionalizing Services

August 18, 2020

Jill Roof, Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Tucker Staley, Eastern Michigan University, Meredith Days, University of Michigan

This memo is included in the Local Government COVID-19 Fiscal Strategy and Resource...

Fiscal Strategy Memos

Fiscal Strategies: Should We Contract This Service Out?

May 14, 2020

Tucker Staley, Eastern Michigan University

This memo is included in the Local Government COVID-19 Fiscal Strategy and Resource...

MPPS

Mixed signals continue for Michigan local governments' fiscal health, while future outlooks worsen

December 1, 2019

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. The findings are based on responses from 10...

MPPS

Community poverty and the struggle to make ends meet in Michigan, according to local government leaders

March 1, 2019

This report presents the views of Michigan’s local government officials regarding poverty and economic hardship among residents in their jurisdiction, as well as assessments of unmet needs for particular services and resources. In addition, the...

MPPS

Despite sustained economic growth, Michigan local government fiscal health still lags

November 1, 2018

MPPS

Local leaders’ views on elections in Michigan: accuracy, problems, and reform options

November 1, 2017

This report presents the opinions of Michigan’s local government leaders on issues related to election administration in their jurisdictions, including problems encountered, worker recruitment and training, updating voting equipment, and potential...

Student Working Papers

Privatizing the Public Sphere: Should Governments Outsource Health and Human Services?

April 1, 2017

Allana Akhtar

Local governments in the state and across the country are trending towards outsourcing services to private companies. Although many of these services currently outsource to legal or technical companies to fill knowledge gaps among public employees,...

Student Working Papers

Public Mass Transportation in West Michigan: The Case for Expanding Services

April 1, 2017

David W. Baker

This policy research paper explores the issues of public mass transportation in the region of West Michigan. It considers the current state of public mass transportation in the region. An effort is made to look for and uncover disparities between...

Student Working Papers

The Need for Increased Police Funding in Detroit

April 1, 2017

Lucas Ryan

Detroit, for all intents and purposes, used to be one of the most thriving cities in the United States. Following the end of World War Two, the auto industry in Detroit was one of the most promising the world. In 1950, Detroit was home to roughly...

MPPS

Local government leaders' views on drinking water and water supply infrastructure in Michigan communities

November 1, 2016

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of issues related to the provision of drinking water in their communities, including threats to water safety, the condition of infrastructure, challenges regarding shared local...

MPPS

Emergency Medical Services in Michigan: challenges and approaches among local governments

July 1, 2016

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ concerns regarding assessments of ambulance and emergency medical services in their jurisdiction, including how these services are provided and funded. The findings are based on statewide...

MPPS

Firefighting services in Michigan: challenges and approaches among local governments

June 1, 2016

This report examines Michigan local government leaders’ opinions on fire protection services in their communities, including satisfaction with fire services and funding of fire protection at the local level. The findings are based on statewide...

MPPS

Most local officials are satisfied with law enforcement services, but almost half from largest jurisdictions say their funding is insufficient

April 1, 2016

This report examines Michigan local government leaders’ opinions on law enforcement services in their community, including the perception of problems with crime in the community, satisfaction with law enforcement performance, and funding of law...

MPPS

Local leaders say police-community relations are good throughout Michigan, but those in large cities are concerned about potential unrest over police use-of-force

February 1, 2016

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of police-community relations, concern over the potential for civil unrest, and the use of a range of law enforcement policies, practices, and equipment in their jurisdiction. The...

MPPS

Most Michigan local officials are satisfied with their privatized services, but few seek to expand further

November 1, 2014

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of privatizing—or contracting out—public services or government operations in their jurisdictions. These findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the...

Policy Reports

DETROIT AREA STUDY, 2001: Public Services, Local Government, and Taxes

June 1, 2006

George R. Carter and Robert W. Marans

This report reviews issues related to public services and facilities, local government performance, and taxation in southeast Michigan, as examined in the 2001 Detroit Area Study...

Policy Reports

Privatization: Issues in Local and State Service Provision

February 1, 2004

Elisabeth Gerber, Christianne K. Hall, James R. Hines Jr.