2004 Publications

Proposal E: Form of Governance for the Detroit Public Schools
Memo 1077 ( September 2004 ) 4 pages

CRC has released its analysis of Proposal E on the City of Detroit November 2 ballot. With expriration of the school reform board one year away, Proposal E allows voters to choose a new method of school board governance. CRC's analysis details a history of the relationship between the Detroit Public Schools and the City of Detroit, looks at other major U.S. cities in similar states of reform, and considers how the two options before the voters will result in changes in accountability, local control, and school improvement.

State Ballot Issues on the November General Election Ballot
Memo 1076 ( September 2004 ) 8 pages

Two questions appear on the statewide ballot, both seeking to amend the State Constitution:
PROPOSAL 04-01: Requiring Statewide and Local Votes on New Forms of Gambling
PROPOSAL 04-02: Banning Same-Sex Marriage or Similar Unions

Financing Michigan Retired Teacher Pension and Health Care Benefits,
Report 337 ( September 2004 ) 17 pages

This report analyzes recent changes in investment experience and retiree health care costs for the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). In addition, it provides projections of the contribution rates for the pension and health benefit portions of the system. If the actuarial assumptions beyond FY2003 prove accurate, the contribution rate paid by the employers will jump significantly from the 14.87 percent charged by the State for FY2005 to over 20 percent in FY2008. The sharp increase is the combined result of escalating health care costs paid on a pay-as-you-go basis; the very large losses experienced in the stock market in 2001 and 2002; and the postponement of contribution rate increases made possible by the use of reserves, soon to be exhausted.

The effects of escalating pension costs on public school finance will be dramatic. In FY2005, the increase in MPSERS contributions average approximately $90 per pupil, an amount greater than the entire per pupil increase in school aid support. In the following three fiscal years, the average per pupil increase in MPSERS contributions will exceed $100 each year. In FY2008, the per pupil costs of MPSERS contributions will average about $1,200.

In a year of moderate economic growth, the increase in school aid revenues on a per pupil basis would likely average no more than $300. Combining increased costs for MPSERS contributions and health benefits for working employees leaves little room for increased spending elsewhere in school budgets, even if the economy improves throughout the period.

2003 Annual Report
Misc. ( March 2004 ) 12 pages

Employment Trends in State Government, FY1966-FY2003,
Report 336 ( February 2004 ) 26 pages

Changing state policies have resulted in dramatic shifts in the composition of state employment since FY1965. A new report by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan documents these changes and reflects on their impact.

It is the CRC policy to make all publications online. If a document you desire is not yet online, please let us know of your desire. It can be put online with little turn around time. Documents may be requested at crcmich@crcmich.org.

Adobe Format

Downloadable CRC publications are provided in Adobe Acrobat's Portable Document Format (pdf). Access to these files requires use of Acrobat Reader. This software is available at no cost from the Adobe.

Acrobat and the Acrobat logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated..

Last Updated July 25, 2006