The Michigan Public Policy Survey
Summary
The Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) is a new program of state-wide surveys of local public officials in Michigan, beginning in 2009. The MPPS is designed to fill an important information gap that currently exists. While there are ongoing surveys of the business community and of the citizens of Michigan, there are no ongoing surveys of local government officials. Therefore, although we know the policy priorities and stances for the state's businesses and citizens, we know very little about the views of the local officials who are so important to the economies and community life throughout Michigan.
Conducted by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) at the University of Michigan in partnership with the Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Municipal League, and Michigan Townships Association, the MPPS investigates local officials' opinions and perspectives on a variety of important public policy issues and solicits factual information about their localities relevant to policymaking. The survey will cover issues such as civil society and civic engagement, economic and workforce development, local-state governmental relations, regional governance, privatization, ethics, important problems facing the local government, policy priorities, local finances, demographics, and more.
How often will the MPPS take place?
We anticipate conducting two surveys per year, one in spring and one in fall. Surveys will contain a battery of "core" questions that get asked repeatedly, thereby building up a time-series of data on fundamental issues and allowing tracking of change and continuity over time. In addition, each survey will also carry a series of questions that examine different issues in depth. The first survey in Spring 2009 focused on fiscal issues and economic development, while the second survey in Fall 2009 focuses on economic, education and workforce development issues. Other topical policy issues will be covered on future waves of the MPPS.
When was the MPPS launched?
The first MPPS survey, focused on fiscal and economic development issues, was in the field from late April through mid-June, 2009.
How is the MPPS funded?
The first two waves, and the overall launch phase, of the MPPS is funded by both internal CLOSUP funds as well as a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Future MPPS activities will be funded by combinations of internal CLOSUP funds and sponsored funds from foundations and other interested organizations.
Who will use the MPPS?
MPPS will serve a wide-range of constituents in Michigan, including local and state policymakers, nonprofit organizations, foundations, citizen groups, the media and the academic research and teaching community.
What will the MPPS do?
The surveys will:
- provide local public officials with a better understanding of the decision-making environment in which they operate, including the views, values, priorities and experiences of their peers across the state;
- enhance opportunities for regional cooperation and coordination with resulting cost savings and/or public service improvements;
- give state-level policymakers a better understanding of the policy priorities in different kinds of communities as well as the likely resistance or support they will find for various state policy options;
- increase government transparency and accountability and therefore result in better opportunities for high quality civic engagement by community activists, nonprofits, foundations and the public;
- provide unique and powerful data for academic researchers and students to better understand local government operations.
How can you get involved?
We are eager to hear your ideas about the surveys: the key issues or questions that should be included, the general topics that should be covered, the types of analysis and reports that would be most useful. If you would like to share your input, please use contact Debra Horner at 734-647-4091 or by email to closup-mpps@umich.edu.
MPPS Home
- See the MPPS home page
MPPS Resources
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- See the Spring 2009 MPPS Key Findings Report
- See the Spring 2009 MPPS Questionnaire
- See the Fall 2009 MPPS Questionnaire
More on the MPPS
- MPPS Coverage in the news and media
