News

Local government budgeting in uncertain times

Published on September 2, 2025
This free webinar brings together local leaders to share strategies for managing budgets amid state budget uncertainty.
MSU Extension and Michigan Department of Treasury launch grant readiness training

Published on September 2, 2025
This free webinar, part of the Fiscally Ready Communities series, helps local governments align grants with community goals, assess capacity, and build proactive policies to strengthen fiscal sustainability.
Strengthening fiscal sustainability for Michigan’s local governments

Published on August 29, 2025
In partnership with the Michigan Department of Treasury, MSU Extension’s Fiscally Ready Communities program reached 1,163 participants across 8 educational webinars in 2024.
County government at work, indeed

Published on July 11, 2025
Michigan counties provide vital health, safety, and welfare services. An updated resource helps officials and residents better understand the roles of county departments, agencies, and commissions and how they serve and support residents locally.
The forgotten law: Planning commission review of capital expenditures

Published on June 6, 2025
When government proposes to buy land, buildings, renovate or build, the proposal should be reviewed by that government’s planning commission first.
MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance and Policy names Erika Rosebrook director

Published on January 21, 2025
Rosebrook joins the Center from MSU’s Department of Political Science, following a nationwide search.
Tough Questions

Published on January 16, 2025
A webinar series by MSU’s Food Security Group exploring critical issues in international development research, featuring leading experts tackling ethics, policy pipelines, A.I. impacts, and more.
Zoning and police power ordinances are not the same, and should not be mixed together

Published on September 15, 2023
There are three types of ordinances local government might adopt. Important to focus on the difference between police power ordinances and zoning ordinances.
Michigan Compiled Law may be the preferred way to cite state law

Published on September 15, 2023
There is more than one way to cite state law. There are several reasons to use the MCL citation over the Public Act number.
Qualifications-based selection, not bidding, is best to contract with professional services

Published on August 3, 2023
Many believe governments should bid for jobs over a certain dollar amount. But bids are not always the best selection system. When hiring professional services Qualifications-Based Selection is the better system to use.