Resources

Rethinking Local Government Budgeting

Published on April 18, 2022
In this webinar, participants will have a chance to learn more about the concept of fairness in budgeting, and discuss how ideas of fairness impact their own budget process and decisions.
State Preemption of Local Authority in Michigan

Published on February 8, 2022
In this webinar, Dr. Keith Boeckelman, from Western Illinois University, and Dr. Eric Scorsone, with the MSU, present on recently published research into trends in state preemption as well as discuss examples of preemption here in Michigan.
Budgeting Your Benefits Interactive Worksheet Template

Published on December 3, 2020
The Budgeting Your Benefits Interactive Worksheet Template allows you to input your monthly food budget and subtract expenses as you purchase food throughout the month.
Pennsylvania Offers A Curious Case To Explore Alternatives To Early Warning Systems And State Intervention: Can Michigan Keep Its Horses From Wandering Off?

Published on May 5, 2020
The purpose of this report is to apply the Early Warning System (EWS) used by Pennsylvania with Michigan local government financial and socioeconomic data, as a way to assess potential fiscal distress that cities, townships, and counties may experience.
A closer look at legacy costs and local actions in Michigan in the wake of PA 202

Published on January 1, 2020
Legacy costs have imposed challenges on local governments in Michigan. The lack of funding for retirement benefits, including pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) such as healthcare, affects the wellbeing of public employees.
Michigan's Post-Recession Spending

Published on September 1, 2018
Over the past eight years, the state’s economy has seen significant improvements. Even with these increases, there remain significant concerns regarding funding for key public policy priorities in the state.
A new approach to evaluating the fiscal health of Michigan local governments: Comparing fiscal performance relative to available resources

Published on June 1, 2018
The purpose of this report is to develop a scoring system for Michigan local governments that accurately reflects their fiscal condition.
Michigan's Local Financial Emergency Manager Law: Considering the Alternatives

Published on May 30, 2018
MSU Extension gathered stakeholder feedback on the feasibility of possible alternatives to PA 436 of 2012 to determine which alternatives have the most support within the group.
Michigan Cities and Michigan Cannot Thrive Without Major Changes in Our System of Financing Local Governments

Published on May 25, 2018
Local government finances are primarily driven by property value growth and state revenue payments. Cities with TV per capita below $20,000 are likely to experience financial problems, particularly in a recession.
Michigan Budget Policy for the Incoming 2019 Gubernatorial Administration

Published on April 1, 2018
This paper is intended to provide a general overview of key budgetary issues that incoming elected officials can expect to and should be prepared to tackle in the coming years.