Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

h. Introduced a retirement health savings account (HSA) option

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

i. Financed liability through bonds

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

j. Created or joined a qualified health care trust

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

k. Transferred retiree health care management to a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

Overall, how effective would you say your jurisdiction's efforts, if any, have been at controlling costs related to its retiree health care benefits? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Following the roll-out of the federal Affordable Care Act, some local governments and private employers have transitioned their retirees to public health care exchanges. Other jurisdictions have decided not to, while still others have not even considered it. Which of the following best describes your jurisdiction's status? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Similar to an actuarially required contribution for a pension fund, a jurisdiction's "annual required contribution" (ARC) for its retiree health care fund is based on the benefits earned by employees in the current year, plus an amount to reduce any unfunded liabilities for past years. Some jurisdictions pay their retiree health care ARC in full each year. Others do not, and may just pay as they go for only that year's retiree health care costs.

To the best of your knowledge, are your jurisdiction's retiree health care obligations currently fully funded? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction's retiree health care obligations are currently fully funded, in your opinion, are these obligations a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all for your jurisdiction's fiscal health? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Looking ahead, how concerned are you, if at all, that your jurisdiction will not be able to fulfill its health care benefit obligations to its retirees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose prohibiting jurisdictions from providing retiree health care benefits for future retirees to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose setting hard caps (i.e., percentage or dollar figure) on jurisdictions' contributions to retiree health care costs to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose creating a state-wide Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) or assisting jurisdictions in creating VEBAs to shift control of retiree health care benefits to employees and/or retirees themselves to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose creating a state-pooled retiree health care benefits system to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose facilitating the creation of private health care exchanges (like the public exchanges in the federal Affordable Care Act) for Michigan's local governments to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose creating a state-wide bonding pool for funding retiree health care benefits to help your jurisdiction better meet or reduce its retiree health care obligations? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about the following actions the State of Michigan could take to help local governments address retiree health care obligations, to what extent, if any, would you support or oppose easing credit rating-based restrictions so more jurisdictions could issue bonds for funding retiree health care benefits? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to the number of employees that work for your jurisdiction.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to the pay rates for your jurisdiction's employee wages and salaries.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to the cost of your jurisdiction's employee pensions.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to the cost of your jurisdiction's current employee health benefits.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to the cost of your jurisdiction's retired employee health benefits.

Now, comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to the next fiscal year, please indicate which actions your jurisdiction has taken or is likely to take regarding your jurisdiction's workforce hiring.

Now, comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to the next fiscal year, please indicate which actions your jurisdiction has taken or is likely to take regarding your jurisdiction's workforce layoffs.

Now, comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to the next fiscal year, please indicate which actions your jurisdiction has taken or is likely to take regarding your jurisdiction not filling vacant positions.