Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)

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?

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

Overall, how effective would you say your jurisdiction's efforts, if any, have been at controlling costs related to its retiree health care benefits? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

k. Transferred retiree health care management to a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

j. Created or joined a qualified health care trust

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

i. Financed liability through bonds

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

h. Introduced a retirement health savings account (HSA) option

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

g. Converted to a defined contribution/stipend in place of a defined benefit health plan

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

f. Implemented a wellness plan (e.g., incentives for annual physicals, weight management, smoking cessation, etc.)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

Following the roll-out of the federal Affordable Care Act, some local governments and private employers have transitioned their retirees to public health care exchanges. Other jurisdictions have decided not to, while still others have not even considered it. Which of the following best describes your jurisdiction's status? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

c. Increased the years of service required and/or the age at which retirement benefits are available

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

b. Increased cost-sharing by retirees (e.g., higher premiums, co-payments, deductibles, etc.)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

a. In the process of or have completed actuarial study to determine/quantify liability

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retiree health care benefits - or lack thereof - for former elected officials to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retiree health care benefits - or lack thereof - for current elected officials to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Were your jurisdiction's performance measures developed with assistance of organizations such as MAC, MML, MTA, a regional council (e.g. SEMCOG, NEMCOG), etc.?

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retiree health care benefits - or lack thereof - for retired employees to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

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)

Similar to an actuarially required contribution for a pension fund, a jurisdiction's "annual required contribution" (ARC) for its retiree health care fund is based on the benefits earned by employees in the current year, plus an amount to reduce any unfunded liabilities for past years. Some jurisdictions pay their retiree health care ARC in full each year. Others do not, and may just pay as they go for only that year's retiree health care costs.

To the best of your knowledge, are your jurisdiction's retiree health care obligations currently fully funded? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction's retiree health care obligations are currently fully funded, in your opinion, are these obligations a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all for your jurisdiction's fiscal health? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Looking ahead, how concerned are you, if at all, that your jurisdiction will not be able to fulfill its health care benefit obligations to its retirees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose prohibiting jurisdictions from providing retiree health care benefits for future retirees to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose setting hard caps (i.e., percentage or dollar figure) on jurisdictions' contributions to retiree health care costs to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose creating a state-wide Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) or assisting jurisdictions in creating VEBAs to shift control of retiree health care benefits to employees and/or retirees themselves to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose creating a state-pooled retiree health care benefits system to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)