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Talk of Challenges and Progress in Detroit Schools Conversation
The Detroit Public School system has been a hot topic of conversation in recent years, and everyone seems to have a solution. This mix of opinions is largely due to the complexity of the situation at hand; different people managing schools, a competing and prevalent charter school system, loss...
Michiganders Are Poor at Assessing the Size of Minority Populations
In the 69th round of the State of the State Survey, conducted in 2014, Michigan residents were asked about the relative sizes of minority populations. The results indicate that Michigan’s people tend to overstate these populations.
Independent Streams (Week of March 28th)
This is the first post in our weekly round-up of policy-relevant reads and IPPSR-connected research (inspired by John Kingdon's theory of policymaking)
The Silent City Killer
Michigan cities owe a staggering $7 billion in unfunded OPEB liabilities.
I recently published a study...
Trust in Government 1995-2015
Since 1995, Michigan State University’s State of the State Survey has tracked the views of Michigan residents on a wide array of topics. This survey, a part of MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, asks questions about trust in government once a year. The data tell some powerful...
Right to Work Effects Overblown
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to pursue a right-to-work law in 2012 drew massive protests to the Michigan Capitol, moving state politics momentarily to the center of national attention. Each side predicted monumental changes stemming from the law, which went into effect in March 2013 and...
Hard Out There for Michigan Cities: A View from the Revenue Side
Due to a mix of State policies and constitutional arrangements, the State of Michigan sets up cities to be financially fragile. It should be no suprise then when cities experience severe financial distress or in the case of eight of the States most beleaguered cities, out and out financial...
Want a Democratic Governor? Root for a Republican President
With Republicans in firm control of both houses of the Michigan Legislature as well as the governor’s office, Democrats may be wondering whether they can regain power in the state anytime soon. Surprisingly, history suggests that the best thing they could do to advance their cause would be to...
Welcome to Michigan Policy Wonk
This is the first post from our new blog, titled Michigan Policy Wonk, at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) at Michigan State University (MSU). We seek to publicize research relevant to state policymakers and enable MSU faculty to provide informed commentary on public-...
Michigan Policy Wonk blog posts represent the views and understandings of their writers. They are meant to be educational and to cast a new light on political and public affairs topics that are currently in the public eye. They do not represent the views and opinions of Michigan State University or represent any official MSU positions or policies. If you would like to reprint our blog content, please contact us.
