Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in revenue from fees for services, licenses, transfers, etc. for your jurisdiction?

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

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the ability of your jurisdiction to repay its debt?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the amount of federal aid to your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the amount of state aid to your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the number of tax delinquencies in your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the number of home foreclosures in your jurisdiction?

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

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the infrastructure needs for 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 think the majority of your jurisdiction’s citizens believe is the proper role for citizen engagement in local governance?

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

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 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 cost of your jurisdiction's employee pensions?

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 retired employee health benefits?

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

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 reliance on general fund balance?

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 the amount of services provided?

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 actual infrastructure spending?

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

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by adding state-level ombudsperson oversight for citizens and local officials to appeal any Emergency Manager decision?

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"?