Fall 2014

First of all, we are interested in your general opinions about the state of ethics and integrity in Michigan government. In general, how would you rate Michigan's state executive branch leaders (Governor, Lt. Gov., department leaders, etc.) overall in terms of ethical behavior in their official positions?

First of all, we are interested in your general opinions about the state of ethics and integrity in Michigan government. In general, how would you rate Michigan's state legislators overall in terms of ethical behavior in their official positions?

Some people think a well-functioning transit system is important to communities in a variety of ways, such as for economic development, environmental sustainability, residents’ mobility, etc. Others do not. How important, if at all, do you think a well-functioning transit system is to the overall needs of your jurisdiction?

We’re interested in factors that may be encouraging or discouraging the expansion of transit in jurisdictions across the state. To what degree would you say your jurisdiction's relationship with neighboring jurisdictions (for inter-jurisdictional service) has been encouraging or discouraging the development of transit within your jurisdiction?

We’re interested in factors that may be encouraging or discouraging the expansion of transit in jurisdictions across the state. To what degree would you say concern over traffic congestion has been encouraging or discouraging the development of transit within your jurisdiction?

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose increasing the sales tax for the state to raise more revenue.

Some counties or localities have had to resort to grinding up paved roads that they can no longer afford to maintain. As far as you know, has this been done to one or more paved roads within your jurisdiction’s geographic boundaries during the past five years?

If the state legislature does not significantly increase funding for roads and/or bridges in your jurisdiction, in your opinion, how much of a problem, if at all, would it be to maintain the roads and bridges, in general, within your geographic boundaries?

If the state legislature does not significantly increase funding for roads and/or bridges in your jurisdiction, in your opinion, how much of a problem, if at all, would it be to improve the roads and bridges, in general, within your geographic boundaries?

Now, if the state legislature increases funding for roads and/or bridges in your jurisdiction by some amount, which of the following, in your opinion, would be closest to meeting your jurisdiction’s needs to maintain the roads and bridges, in general, within your geographic boundaries?

Now, if the state legislature increases funding for roads and/or bridges in your jurisdiction by some amount, which of the following, in your opinion, would be closest to meeting your jurisdiction’s needs to improve the roads and bridges, in general, within your geographic boundaries?

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose increasing the gas and/or diesel taxes for the state to raise more revenue.

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose increasing vehicle registration fees for the state to raise more revenue.

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose increasing fees for overweight trucks for the state to raise more revenue.

In some local jurisdictions, the focus of road and/or bridge maintenance and improvement is on long-term asset management. In other jurisdictions, the focus is necessarily on short-term repairs and “band-aid” fixes. Which of the following, in your opinion, best describes the current approach to road and/or bridge maintenance and improvement within your jurisdiction’s geographic boundaries? (Please respond to the best of your knowledge, even if your jurisdiction does not control local road policy.)

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose adding toll roads and/or lanes for the state to raise more revenue.

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose introducing mileage fees (Vehicle Miles Traveled) for the state to raise more revenue.

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose increasing drivers’ license fees for the state to raise more revenue.

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose increasing traffic violation fines, surcharges, and permit fees for the state to raise more revenue.

There are many methods states could use to fund roads and bridges, including some that are not currently allowed in Michigan. Thinking about a broad range of policy options, and assuming the Michigan Legislature does increase funding for roads and bridges, please identify whether you would support or oppose leasing road right-of-way and/or state property for cell phone towers, advertisements, etc. for the state to raise more revenue.

Thinking beyond state funding, does your jurisdiction currently expend any own-source local revenues on-road and/or bridge maintenance, improvement, or construction—either directly or as matching funds?

Does your jurisdiction use your its general fund to fund its contributions to road and/or bridge maintenance, improvement, or construction? (Among those jurisdictions that report using local revenue sources)

Does your jurisdiction use special assessment(s) to fund its contributions to the road and/or bridge maintenance, improvement, or construction? (Among those jurisdictions that report using local revenue sources)

Once again, thinking about the condition of roads and bridges in your community overall, to what degree would you say their condition has changed over the past five years, if at all? Please indicate whether—in your opinion—the overall condition of roads and bridges in your geographic boundaries, in general, has improved, deteriorated, or not changed significantly over the past five years.

In your opinion, where would you say you personally in your role as a local official would rank the need for road and bridge maintenance and improvement compared to other public service priorities (e.g., public safety services, economic development, public health, trash collection, etc.) for your local government?

In your opinion, where would you say the majority of your jurisdiction’s business community would rank the need for road and bridge maintenance and improvement compared to other public service priorities (e.g., public safety services, economic development, public health, trash collection, etc.) for your local government?

In your opinion, where would you say the majority of your jurisdiction’s citizens would rank the need for road and bridge maintenance and improvement compared to other public service priorities (e.g., public safety services, economic development, public health, trash collection, etc.) for your local government?

In your opinion, where would you say the majority of your jurisdiction’s Board/Council would rank the need for road and bridge maintenance and improvement compared to other public service priorities (e.g., public safety services, economic development, public health, trash collection, etc.) for your local government?

Thinking about the condition of roads and bridges within your community overall, to what degree would you say their current condition has a positive or negative impact, if any, on citizen satisfaction with your jurisdiction’s government?

Thinking about the condition of roads and bridges within your community overall, to what degree would you say their current condition has a positive or negative impact, if any, on the ability of public safety personnel to respond to an emergency in your jurisdiction?