Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)

Overall, how much of a problem — if at all — are property tax appeals for your jurisdiction’s current fiscal health?

Thinking about property tax appeals that have gone to the Michigan Tax Tribunal from your jurisdiction in the last two years, would you say you are generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the Tax Tribunal’s determination(s)? (Among cities and townships that defended an assessment before the Tax Tribunal)

To what extent — if at all — did the cost of legal representation for the appeal impact your decision to stipulate rather than defend the original assessment before the Tax Tribunal? (Among cities and townships that stipulated/agreed to a value with the landowner)

Thinking about any appeals of a Board of Review determination to the Michigan Tax Tribunal in the last two years, did your jurisdiction respond to any appeal by defending the assessment before the Tax Tribunal? (Among jurisdictions that reported having landowners appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal)

Thinking about any appeals of a Board of Review determination to the Michigan Tax Tribunal in the last two years, did your jurisdiction respond to any appeal by stipulating/agreeing to an alternate taxable value with the landowner prior to the Tax Tribunal hearing? (Among cities and townships that reported having landowners appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal)

In your opinion, how do students in your community compare with others in the state in terms of: College enrollment

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?

For your community, what impact do you believe the following strategies, programs, or laws have had-or would have-on the academic achievement of K-12 students: Another school accountability system (instead of No Child Left Behind)

For your community, what impact do you believe the following strategies, programs, or laws have had-or would have-on the academic achievement of K-12 students: No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

For your community, what impact do you believe the following strategies, programs, or laws have had-or would have-on the academic achievement of K-12 students: Cyberschools or other forms of virtual learning

For your community, what impact do you believe the following strategies, programs, or laws have had-or would have-on the academic achievement of K-12 students: Rigorous teacher evaluation based on student performance

For your community, what impact do you believe the following strategies, programs, or laws have had-or would have-on the academic achievement of K-12 students: The Michigan Merit Curriculum

For your community, what impact do you believe the following strategies, programs, or laws have had-or would have-on the academic achievement of K-12 students: Charter Schools

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?

In your opinion, how do students in your community compare with others in the state in terms of: High school achievement

In your opinion, how do students in your community compare with others in the state in terms of: Elementary school achievement

First, in your opinion, how good of a job does your local K-12 education system do in preparing students for college, the job market in your region, and jobs in the global economy: Jobs in the global economy

First, in your opinion, how good of a job does your local K-12 education system do in preparing students for college, the job market in your region, and jobs in the global economy: The job market in your region

First, in your opinion, how good of a job does your local K-12 education system do in preparing students for college, the job market in your region, and jobs in the global economy: College

Now we would like your opinion on different elements of the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act (P.A. 4 of 2011). To what extent do you support or oppose: The Emergency Manager law (P.A. 4 of 2011) overall.

Now we would like your opinion on different elements of the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act (P.A. 4 of 2011). To what extent do you support or oppose: Allowing a current local official, such as a mayor or council member, to be appointed as an EM.

Now we would like your opinion on different elements of the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act (P.A. 4 of 2011). To what extent do you support or oppose: Allowing an EM to recommend (with approval of the state) collaboration or consolidation with other jurisdictions, or disincorporation of the local jurisdiction.

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)?

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 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 economic decline 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 population loss is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

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?