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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. -
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. -
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 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. -
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. -
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 -
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. -
Workforce and Labor Market Information Briefing for the New Governor
Published on November 6, 2018
This white paper, part of the Michigan at a Crossroads policy guide, puts Michigan's labor market in context, comparing current conditions to recent laws and pre-recessionary peaks. -
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. -
Michigan Tax Policy for the Incoming 2019 Gubernatorial Administration
Published on March 7, 2018
This is paper one in the ongoing Michigan at a Crossroad Series. The purpose of this policy brief is to provide a concise summary of some of the most important features of the tax system in Michigan, along with a brief guide to some policy proposals.
