Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

To what extent do you support or oppose allowing a State-appointed advisory board to have ongoing oversight powers after the Emergency Manager leaves?

Thinking overall about local governments that have faced—or will face—a financial emergency, how effective or ineffective do you believe the Emergency Manager Law has been, or will be, at restoring fiscal health in the short-term (i.e., balancing the books)?

Now, still thinking overall about local governments that have faced—or will face—a financial emergency, how effective or ineffective do you believe the Law will be at establishing sustainable financial conditions for the long-term?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law is undemocratic?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law helps difficult decisions to be made because the Emergency Manager is an "outsider"?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law is racially discriminatory (by design, or as implemented)?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law pays insufficient attention to the underlying structural problems leading to local fiscal stress?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law serves the interests of local residents by improving their jurisdiction’s fiscal sustainability?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Emergency Manager Law leads to an overemphasis on cost-cutting at the expense of service quality, public health and safety, or other important considerations?

Thinking overall, to what extent do you support or oppose the Emergency Manager Law?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by requiring Emergency Managers to plan for improving factors beyond just finances (e.g., service delivery, infrastructure, quality of life)?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by including provisions for possible new (time limited) local or state revenue options for jurisdictions with Emergency Managers?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by requiring Emergency Managers to analyze impact on disadvantaged groups when making decisions?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by requiring Emergency Managers to consider local elected official input before making decisions?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by requiring Emergency Managers to consider citizen input before making decisions?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by adding state-level ombudsperson oversight for citizens and local officials to appeal any Emergency Manager decision?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by making other changes?

Some believe that more proactive monitoring of local government finances by the State could help avoid local fiscal emergencies through earlier detection and intervention. Others believe this may be unnecessary or even counterproductive. To what extent would you support or oppose more proactive State monitoring of finances for all local governments in Michigan?

Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction (for example, the Headlee Amendment, Proposal A, etc.), if the economy improves gradually over the coming years, do you agree or disagree that the current system of funding the local government will provide adequate funding to maintain the current quantity and quality of services your jurisdiction provides?

Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction (for example, the Headlee Amendment, Proposal A, etc.), if the economy improves gradually over the coming years, do you agree or disagree that the current system of funding the local government will provide adequate funding to improve or add more services if they are necessary or desired?

Some people think the current system of funding local government in Michigan is broken and needs significant reform, while others disagree. What about you? Would you say you agree or disagree that the system of funding local government in Michigan is broken and needs significant reform?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by enabling regional tax-base sharing among local units?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by reforming tax increment financing/tax captures (e.g., DDAs, TIFs, LDFAs) to limit the impact on general government revenues?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by allowing local governments to raise revenues through local-option taxes (e.g., sales, gas, hotel taxes, etc.)?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by compelling the State to pay for “unfunded mandates” imposed on local governments?