Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)

Now, how would you describe the overall relationship between the State government and other local jurisdictions overall?

Now, how would you describe the overall relationship between the State government and your jurisdiction in particular?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in how local governments conduct business (e.g., open meetings, public notices)?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in social issues (e.g., public welfare, homelessness, gun policies)?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in anti-discrimination policies (e.g., LGBTQ, equal opportunity)?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in business issues (e.g., minimum wage, plastic bags, puppy mills, Uber, Airbnb)?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in land use and planning (e.g., zoning, permitting)?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think economic decline is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in local finance and tax policy?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in economic development?

How would you rate the way your jurisdiction's governing board (e.g., county or township board, city or village council) is performing its job?

How would you rate the way the Michigan Legislature is performing its job?

How would you rate the way Rick Snyder is performing his job as Michigan's governor?

Do you feel things in your jurisdiction are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track?

Finally, do you feel things in the state of Michigan are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track?

Are you familiar with the high school graduation requirements included in the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) that was adopted several years ago?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think rising costs to provide services are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think citizen opposition to millage or other revenue increases is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think State decisions affecting local government (e.g., revenue sharing, Headlee / Proposal A, local revenue options, unfunded mandates, etc.) are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government corruption and/or mismanagement is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government decisions to provide generous retiree pensions/benefits and/or decisions to underfund retiree obligations are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

To what extent do you support or oppose allowing local units in a financial emergency the choice between a consent agreement, Emergency Manager, mediation (e.g., with creditors), or bankruptcy proceedings?

To what extent do you support or oppose allowing an Emergency Manager to reject, modify, or terminate collective bargaining agreements?

To what extent do you support or oppose allowing an Emergency Manager to set aside decision-making powers of local elected officials?

To what extent do you support or oppose allowing an Emergency Manager to recommend (with approval of the State) the sale, transfer, or lease of the local jurisdiction's assets?

To what extent do you support or oppose allowing a State-appointed advisory board to have ongoing oversight powers after the Emergency Manager leaves?

Thinking overall about local governments that have faced—or will face—a financial emergency, how effective or ineffective do you believe the Emergency Manager Law has been, or will be, at restoring fiscal health in the short-term (i.e., balancing the books)?

Now, still thinking overall about local governments that have faced—or will face—a financial emergency, how effective or ineffective do you believe the Law will be at establishing sustainable financial conditions for the long-term?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law is undemocratic?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law helps difficult decisions to be made because the Emergency Manager is an "outsider"?