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A Greater Detroit
Published on February 24, 2021
If Ecorse, Hamtramck, and Highland Park approach the brink of insolvency in the future, the State should consider responding not by canceling local democracy, but by requiring that a vote be held on dissolution and consolidation into Detroit. -
A Greater Detroit
Published on February 19, 2021
Should Ecorse, Hamtramck, and Highland Park approach the brink of insolvency in the future, the State should consider responding not by canceling local democracy, but by requiring that a vote be held on dissolution and consolidation into Detroit. -
Imagine Michigan Household Faucets Never Running Dry
Published on January 19, 2021
Imagine our community water systems providing sustainable and continuous access to affordable and clean drinking water for their service area population. We will examine institutions, rules, and processes that govern community drinking water systems. -
Assessing Existing Local Government Fiscal Early Warning System through Four State Case Studies: Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania
Published on December 20, 2020
This report presents detailed explanations, tradeoffs and outcomes of four existing ratio indicator systems. We assert that there is no one optimal system, only the right system based on the perceived needs of policymakers in that particular location. -
Welcome to the Thrive Local Blog
Published on December 15, 2020
We will discuss issues relevant to local democracy and government at the intersection of law, finance and politics. Topics we will explore are chosen to assist local officials and residents to make decisions in their best interest and for the common good. -
Local Government Financial Vulnerability: New Tools for Identifying and Tracking Challenges
Published on December 8, 2020
The onset of a major pandemic-induced recession has presented a second wave of fiscal problems for local governments. State and local governments are seeking out new tools to assess fiscal risk and vulnerability and to chart new options moving forward. -
Elections and COVID-19
Published on July 6, 2020
Safe voting during a pandemic. -
Elections and COVID-19
Published on June 17, 2020
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum presents on how her office is preparing for the August and November elections and answer questions about how other local governments can be adequately prepared to conduct elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
COVID-19 fiscal strategy and resource guides
Published on May 22, 2020
Guides help local governments through the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19. -
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. -
Systems Framework for Meeting Local Government Service Solvency Standards: Case Study of the City of Flint, Michigan
Published on April 17, 2020
This white paper is a review of the financial and service challenges, issues and conditions facing the city government of Flint, Michigan as of 2019. -
Emergency Changes to the Open Meetings Act (PowerPoint Slides)
Published on April 13, 2020
Download the slides for the Emergency Changes to the Open Meetings Act webinar. -
Emergency Changes to the Open Meetings Act (Video)
Published on April 13, 2020
A webinar describing changes to Open Meeting Act meeting procedures as a result of the novel Coronavirus and Executive Order 2020-15 and 2020-21. This information is valid through 4-13-20 or until these EOs are otherwise modified, expire, or are replaced. -
Spartyville PUBLIC MEEING NOTICE (PDF)
Published on April 13, 2020
Example pubic notice for an online local government meeting. -
COVID-19 Response
Published on April 9, 2020
In order to assist our community members and partners, the Center for Local Government Finance and Policy has compiled brief overviews of COVID-19 response efforts as well as potential implications and impacts for local governments. -
Flint Community Schools: Fiscal and Service Solvency: MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance and Policy White Paper
Published on February 3, 2020
This white paper proposes that the ability of Flint Public Schools to meet adequacy standards is severely constrained and it seems unlikely this will change under the current policy structure. -
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. -
Guide to Michigan County Government 5th Edition (E3209)
Published on August 1, 2019
Revised and updated by public policy experts with Michigan State University Extension -
MSU teams with state’s top universities to provide economic forecasting for city of Detroit
Published on July 12, 2019
MSU Extension will work with University of Michigan, Wayne State to provide city of Detroit economic analysis and forecasting. -
Local Governments in Michigan: Current Trends and Future Challenges
Published on December 20, 2018
The purpose of this brief is to provide a tour of the current financial and service landscape of local governments in Michigan and discuss state policies impacting local finance.
