Results

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

• Reasons and Risks: Pension Obligation Bonding in Michigan

  Published on November 1, 2017
  This policy brief explores pension obligation bonding in the United States as well as in Michigan specifically.

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  A Review of Michigan's Local Financial Emergency Law

  Published on May 10, 2017
  The paper outlines the four versions of local emergency manager law, and discusses pros and cons of PA 436 of 2012. It outlines four major alternatives to the way Michigan addresses local financial emergencies.

• County Revenue Options

  Published on December 1, 2016
  This paper outlines various revenue options for counties and what taxes and fees various states collect.

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  Beyond State Takeovers: Reconsidering the Role of State Government in Local Financial Distress ...

  Published on November 11, 2015
  This report’s practical recommendations are aimed at assisting the C.S. Mott Foundation, state and local officials, and Michigan residents in identifying a more effective policy and legal approach to local fiscal crises.

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  Flint Fiscal Playbook: An Assessment of the Emergency Manager Years (2011-2015)

  Published on November 11, 2015
  This case study seeks to understand the economic and fiscal trends that led to state receivership and analyzes the impacts of the emergency manager policy on the city’s fiscal health. It updates trends presented in a previous case study.

• Addressing School District Fiscal Stress in Michigan

  Published on January 21, 2015
  This paper examines district deficit and predictors of distress in the proposed early warning system, finding a weak correlation. It suggests alternative fiscal measurements with stronger correlation.

• F65 Fiscal Data Portal

  Published on April 9, 2013
  

• Municipality Legacy Costs

  Published on March 13, 2013
  

• Municipal Bankruptcy

  Published on January 30, 2013
  While not a cure for fiscal stress, Chapter 9 is a tool that a municipality may use to reset its financial course when all other methods fail. This paper identifies several lessons learned through a simulation exercise using live case data.

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  Frequently Asked Questions About the New Michigan Local Financial Emergency Law [Public Act 436 of 2012]

  Published on January 30, 2013
  When Michigan voters struck down Public Act 4 (commonly known as the "Emergency Manager Law"), the Michigan legislature passed a new law concerning cities and school districts in fiscal crises.

• Detroit Consent Agreement and Emergency Manager Laws

  Published on August 20, 2012
  

• Lansing-East Lansing Metro Region Fiscal Scorecard

  Published on July 9, 2012
  The Lansing-East Lansing metro region is home to 77 general-purpose local governments including cities, townships, villages and counties.

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  City of Detroit: City Employment Terms

  Published on June 11, 2012
  This FAQ outlines the events leading to the CET, discusses the implications, and lays out further questions to consider as the city continues to address its financial crisis.

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  City of Detroit: FY 2013 Budget

  Published on June 11, 2012
  This FAQ explores issues related to the City of Detroit's Fiscal Year 2013 budget, including those issues that directly affect residents and taxpayers.

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  The Lansing-East Lansing Metro Region Fiscal Scorecard

  Published on May 9, 2012
  This report analyzes the efficiency of the local governments in the Lansing-East Lansing metro region by comparing them to the governments in other similar metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) throughout the United States.