Resources

Dealing with the Challenge of Economic Uncertainty

Published on April 20, 2023
Dr. Eric Scorsone discusses the impact of inflation and economic challenges, what direction the economy might be heading in, and steps local governments can take to prepare for a variety of scenarios.
Statewide Ballot Proposal 22-2: Promote the Vote 2022

Published on October 11, 2022
This bulletin offers Michigan voters a brief analysis of statewide ballot proposal 22-2, which would amend the Michigan Constitution to expand voting rights protections.
Statewide Ballot Proposal 22-1: Financial Disclosure Reports & Legislative Term Limits

Published on September 23, 2022
This bulletin offers Michigan voters a brief analysis of Statewide Ballot Proposal 22-1, which would amend the Michigan Constitution.
Statewide Ballot Proposal 22-3: Reproductive Freedom for All

Published on September 23, 2022
This bulletin offers Michigan voters a brief analysis of Statewide Ballot Proposal 22-3, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights, including the right to abortion care.
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.
Sample Land Division Review Worksheet

Published on July 26, 2021
Sample land division review worksheet for use by the official responsible for approving or rejecting proposed land divisions.
Redistricting and Communities of Interest

Published on March 26, 2021
A webinar about Michigan's new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and the role communities of interest play in Michigan's redistricting process.
Local Government Codes of Conduct: Q&A

Published on March 2, 2021
Participant questions and answers from the webinar Codes of Conduct: Going Beyond the Minimum
Local Government Codes of Conduct: Going Beyond the Minimum

Published on March 2, 2021
Codes of Conduct are useful tools for government boards. They clarify a person's role and expectations for member conduct. This webinar uses the planning commission as an example of how a code of conduct can be valuable and how other bodies can use them.