Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)

Now thinking about particularly controversial issues, who do you think should have the final say on the most controversial issues in your jurisdiction?

One way of thinking about the proper role for citizen engagement in local policymaking is along a spectrum from low engagement to high engagement. At the low end, citizen engagement would focus just on keeping citizens informed about issues. At the high end, citizens would actually make decisions for the jurisdiction. While it might differ depending on the issue, in general, what do you personally believe is the proper role for citizen engagement in local governance?

One way of thinking about the proper role for citizen engagement in local policymaking is along a spectrum from low engagement to high engagement. At the low end, citizen engagement would focus just on keeping citizens informed about issues. At the high end, citizens would actually make decisions for the jurisdiction. While it might differ depending on the issue, in general, what do you think the majority of your jurisdiction’s citizens believe is the proper role for citizen engagement in local governance?

In terms of their engagement in your jurisdiction’s policymaking and/or operations, how much of the time do you think you can trust the citizens in your community to be responsible participants?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding charges for fees, licenses, etc.?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding funding for economic development programs?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding actual general government operations spending?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding actual human services spending?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding actual infrastructure spending?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding actual public safety spending?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding the amount of services provided?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding reliance on "rainy day" funds?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding reliance on general fund balance?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that you struggle to find enough citizens to serve on your jurisdiction’s appointed boards/commissions or elected offices?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding property tax rates?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the cost of your jurisdiction's retired employee health benefits?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the cost of your jurisdiction's current employee health benefits?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the cost of your jurisdiction's employee pensions?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the pay rates for your jurisdiction's employee wages and salaries?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the number of employees that work for your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the general government operations needs for your jurisdiction?

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 would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by requiring Emergency Managers to plan for improving factors beyond just finances (e.g., service delivery, infrastructure, quality of life)?

Thinking overall, to what extent do you support or oppose the Emergency Manager Law?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law leads to an overemphasis on cost-cutting at the expense of service quality, public health and safety, or other important considerations?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law serves the interests of local residents by improving their jurisdiction’s fiscal sustainability?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law pays insufficient attention to the underlying structural problems leading to local fiscal stress?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law is racially discriminatory (by design, or as implemented)?

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"?

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