Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

What overall impact, if any, do you think Detroit's bankruptcy filing has had or will have on local government home rule and discretion under Michigan state law?

What overall impact, if any, do you think Detroit's bankruptcy filing has had or will have on Michigan local governments' cost of borrowing through issuing debt in the near term?

What overall impact, if any, do you think Detroit's bankruptcy filing has had or will have on your jurisdiction's overall fiscal health?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to cuts in repayments to the jurisdiction's bondholders in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to cuts to pensions of the jurisdiction's current retirees in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to cuts to fringe benefits (health care, etc.) of the jurisdiction's current retirees in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to cuts to compensation (pay rates and/or fringe benefits) for the jurisdiction's current employees in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to cuts to, or privatization of, some public services to reduce costs in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to increasing service sharing with other governments to reduce costs in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to selling some jurisdiction assets (e.g., parkland, buildings, infrastructure, art holdings, etc.) in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to raising local revenue through increased taxes or fees in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to financial assistance from the state government in the course of bankruptcy?

Although conditions in individual jurisdictions will vary, in your opinion, what priority should ultimately be given to financial assistance from the federal government in the course of bankruptcy?

During the next twelve months, do you think your community will have good times financially, or bad times financially?

Would you say that your unit of government is less able or better able to meet its financial needs in this fiscal year compared to the last fiscal year?

Would you say that your unit of government is less able or better able to meet its financial needs in the next fiscal year compared to this fiscal year?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in your jurisdiction's amount of debt?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in your jurisdiction's ability to repay its debt?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the amount of federal aid to your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the population of your jurisdiction?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding reliance on general fund balance?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding reliance on "rainy day" funds?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding the amount of debt?

In your opinion, overall, have the union(s) that represent your employees been an asset, a liability, or neither, to your jurisdiction's fiscal health in the last 12 months?

In your opinion, overall, have the union(s) that represent your employees been an asset, a liability, or neither, to your jurisdiction's overall performance in the last 12 months?