http://www.crcmich.org en-us elupher@crcmich.org (Eric Lupher) http://crcmich.org/rss/2013mpsers.html Michigan public schools have seen fewer dollars remain available for classroom education in recent years as more of their revenues have been needed to meet unfunded retirement system liabilities, according to *Funding for Public Education: The Recent Impact of Increased MPSERS Contributions* a new report from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. Wed, 22 May 2013 09:30:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2013hccostdrivers.html The new CRC report, *Health Care Costs in Michigan: Drivers and Policy Options* outlines the problem with the current level and growth rate of health care spending. The report synthesizes the research on 17 potential cost drivers, and discusses over 20 state policy reform options that may lower the level of spending or cost growth going forward. Tue, 21 May 2013 08:30:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2010s/2013/PSC-CRC_Personalized_Learning_Report.pdf PSC and CRC interviewed more than 30 state and national education leaders. In addition, the research team conducted an extensive literature scan including policy briefs and academic literature. The results of this research were recently published in the report *Moving Michigan Farther, Faster: Personalized Learning and the Transformation of Learning in Michigan*. This report contains a description of personalized learning and includes policy recommendations relating to students, teachers, schools, technology, data, and quality and accountability. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2013detrev.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has released a report analyzing the tax and other revenues available to the City of Detroit for financing city services. The report provides context for Detroit revenues by examining how major revenue streams have changed over time, as well as how the revenues available to city government compare with the revenues available to other large cities in Michigan. Mon, 1 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2013Schneider.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan is pleased to announce that Robert Schneider has joined our research staff as Director of State Affairs. Mr. Schneider has extensive experience in state policy matters, including transportation, corrections, and human services. Mon, 4 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2013TIFissues.html The Detroit Free Press ran a series of articles last week that documented Wayne County communities diverting for their own economic development purposes taxes were levied to support the Detroit Zoo. Other governmental entities have asked the state Attorney General or the courts for clarification of issues similar to those raised by the zoo officials. Now the Citizens Research Council of Michigan has released a brief paper that asks: Can Dedicated Millages and Tax Increment Financing Coexist in Michigan? Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2013glvaamendments.html A new CRC Report, *Lessons from the Proposed Merger of Onekama Village with Onekama Township*, chronicles the experiences of the merger efforts in Onekama (Manistee County) and suggests several amendments to the General Law Village Act that could address the perceived weaknesses or simply improve the process of using a disincorporation commission. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EDT http://vimeo.com/51012032 CRC conducted an online webinar to discuss Proposal 1 (referendum on Public Act 4), Proposal 2 (right to collective bargaining), and Proposal 4 (Michigan Quality Home Care Council) on October 8. The session was recorded and is available online. Tue, 9 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://vimeo.com/50853360 CRC conducted an online webinar to discuss Proposal 3 (renewable energy), Proposal 5 (requirements for tax increases), and Proposal 6 (vote requirements for international crossings) on October 5. The session was recorded and is available online. Mon, 8 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012ballotsummary.html CRC has created a summary of the six statewide ballot proposals to provide brief explanations of each question, identify the implications if each question passes or is rejected, and offer some major issues to consider. The content is based on the more in-depth analyses of each question. Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop6.html CRC has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that describes the provisions of the amendment, the importance of international crossings, and the recently signed interlocal agreement with the Canadian government. The report looks at the unique provisions in the amendment for seeking a vote of the people and ambiguous language that would seem to suggest that the amendment and vote requirement could apply to far more than the crossing of the Detroit River that the amendment was designed to prevent or delay. Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop5.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that looks at what taxes would be covered and current supermajority vote requirements in the Michigan Constitution. The analysis considers how this tax limitation would interact with Michigan's existing tax and expenditure limitations, looks at similar requirements in other states, and considers a number of arguments that can be made for and against this proposed amendment. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop4.html CRC has published an analysis of a proposed constitutional amendment to provide limited collective bargaining rights to home health care workers and to establish a Michigan Quality Home Care Council. Proposal 2012-04 will appear on the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot. Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop3.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that describes the provisions of the amendment and explains the issue of renewable energy. The report compares renewable energy production in Michigan to other states, examines constitutional issues that are unique to a proposal such as this, looks at how Michigan's renewable energy law would have to change to carry out the provisions of the amendment, and explores issues related to energy production and transmission that would affect the electric utilities. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop2.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that describes the provisions of the amendment, the interaction of federal and state laws on collective bargaining, and the issues created by the proposal. Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop1.html CRC has published an analysis of this initiated referendum that describes PA 4, the law that allows state appointment of emergency managers for local governments that are found to have financial emergencies. The report reviews the history of similar laws in Michigan, the application of PA 4, and the differences between this law and previous approaches to local fiscal emergencies. Of particular importance are the enhanced power of emergency managers under PA 4, including the authority to abrogate contracts and collective bargaining agreements, and the terms associated with consent agreements negotiated under the statute. Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012codeinconst.html The new CRC paper, *Inserting Legal Code into the Michigan Constitution*, explores the seemingly increased trend of policy advocates targeting the constitution in their initiative efforts rather than attempting to initiate law. Fri, 7 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012teachertenure.html A flurry of legislative activity in 2011, both in Michigan and in other states, addressed teacher tenure and public sector collective bargaining. A new report by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan describes the Michigan reforms and places changes in Michigan statutes in the context of history and of changes occurring in other states. Mon, 30 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012bailoutoptions.html A new CRC report, *Options to Address School District Accumulated Deficits*, highlights options for state policymakers to consider when dealing with school district accumulated deficits in fiscally failing districts. The options include, charter conversion, a direct state appropriation, an additional local tax, and district consolidation with state assumption of deficit. These options are presented in light of the Muskegon Heights plan, which is being pursued without a clear statewide policy and without the direct involvement of the Michigan legislature. The report concludes that a state policy to provide additional resources specifically for past deficit elimination should, at a minimum, be transparent, equitable, transferable, and consistent with other reforms. Also, the additional resources must be short-term in nature and be accompanied by long-lasting governance, financial management, and educational reforms to ensure that distressed districts will not be seeking forgiveness again in 10-15 years. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012evip.html The new CRC report, *Using State Shared Revenues to Incentivize Local Government Behavior*, examines the origins of a recent policy shift, including the provisions contained in the current budget (FY2012), and the continuation and expansion of the policy in the FY2013 budget. The report looks at the theory behind state revenue sharing programs and highlights various issues, both practical and legal, that are raised with the shift in policy. Chief among them is the tension between the Michigan tradition of local control and the State interest in incenting local governments to adopt changes that it views as best practices. Mon, 9 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012bailout.html CRC Memorandum *State Bailouts to Erase School District Accumulated Deficits* explores the plans being proffered by the Muskegon Heights School District emergency manager and what they mean for the District and the state at-large. Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012recall.html While the Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election may be grabbing headlines this week, the reality is that recall is much more common in Michigan than in Wisconsin. A new report *Michigan s Recall Election Law* provides an in-depth examination of this topic and looks at trends in Michigan for the use of recall, state law, and how the Michigan recall provisions vary from other states. Mon, 4 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012budgetprogress.html CRCs State Budget Note *Reconcilable Differences - Towards Completion of the FY2013 State Budget* looks at the main components of each legislative proposal and examines how they differ and what issues will need to be resolved through negotiation. Final budget development will also have to consider the Governors recommendations. Although total budgeted amounts in some areas are similar across all three iterations, beneath these totals lie notable differences in the details - how dollars are allocated across programs, services, and sub-state entities. Wed, 9 May 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012detfinanceorg.html CRC is pleased to announce the publication of a new report on the financial organization and structure the City of Detroit municipal government. This report is part of a series occasioned by the citys narrowly averted cash crisis, by state intervention under Public Act 4 of 2011 and the adoption of a consent agreement establishing a Financial Advisory Board, and by continuing efforts to find effective solutions to intractable municipal problems. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://vimeo.com/40676915 Special education services are provided to about 14% of the Michigan K-12 school population, but because the average per-pupil expenditure for those children is almost 50 percent higher than the average per K-12 student, the cost of these services are crowding out other important services. CRC discussed these and other findings of a recently released report on this subject in a recent webinar that will be of interest to those inside and outside of the education community. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012specedfinance.html This new report tackles the complex, and often confusing, web of fiscal issues surrounding the education of nearly 225,000 special education students each year, almost 14 percent of all students in public education. The report collects and synthesizes data from various sources, including the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Treasury, and individual intermediate school districts (ISD) to develop a comprehensive picture of special education finances -- something that does not exist in a single source because of the structure of the finance system. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012nyc-dtw.html As Detroit and Michigan officials work to resolve the financial crisis facing this state s largest city, it may be instructive to revisit a similar situation: the 1975 financial crisis in New York City. Comparing the factors that led to the crisis, the negotiations, and the structure that was put in place to resolve the crisis and place New York City firmly on the road to financial recovery and sound budgeting and financial management may help in assessing the state s efforts to ensure a viable future for Detroit. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012consentagree.html This 2-page paper examines the differences between the two plans that have been made public. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:30:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012taxoutline.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan (CRC) has released the latest update of its most popular report, *Outline of the Michigan Tax System*. This report, which serves as a handy resource for many, captures all the changes made to the state and local tax landscape since the last update (January 2011), including the major state business and individual income tax modifications. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://vimeo.com/381830 On Thursday, March 8, 2012, CRC hosted a webinar to discuss highlights of the recently released paper, *Options for Managing Medicaid Funding and Cost Growth*. Fri, 9 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST http://crcmich.org/rss/2012teacherperformance.html The second in a miniseries on teachers and teaching, *Education Reform: Teacher Performance Management Systems* confirms the importance of good teaching and the challenges associated with systems that have been used to, and will in the future, measure the quality of teachers. Historically, teacher evaluations found nearly all teachers to be satisfactory or better, even in districts with very low student performance. Parents and policymakers are increasingly demanding that teachers be evaluated using measures of student achievement gains. Wed, 7 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST http://crcmich.org/rss/2012medicaid.html CRC is pleased to announce the publication of *Options for Managing Medicaid Funding and Cost Growth*, a report that discusses revenue and expenditure trends and provides policymakers with both revenue and expenditure side options to sustain Medicaid in the face of its many challenges. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST http://crcmich.org/rss/2012cashposition.html While the State of Michigan final audited figures for Fiscal Year 2011 are not complete, recent evidence suggests that state policymakers have reversed course over the past five years and have taken steps to address the once very weak cash position. The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has released a report, *Stabilized State Budget and Rainy Day Fund Deposits Improve State s Cash Position*, documenting the recent improvements in the cash position, and urges lawmakers to continue to maintain a focus on this important indicator of the overall financial health. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST http://vimeo.com/37663578 The Citizens Research Council of Michigan hosted a webinar on Friday, February 17 to discuss the highlights of Governor Snyder s FY2013 budget proposal. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST http://crcmich.org/rss/2012taxrevenues.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has released its analysis of recently released U.S. Census Bureau state and local government finance data. The Census data allow for easy comparisons of tax burdens across the 50 states. CRCs publication of *2009 Tax Revenue Comparison: Michigan and the U.S. Average* provides historical and interstate comparisons of tax revenues. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST