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Citizens Research Council Centennial

CRC's new book on the history of the organization

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY CRC’s new book on the history of the organization


On April 13, 1916, the Detroit Tigers played the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Meanwhile, 280 miles to the east in Detroit, the lights were coming on in the first day of operations of the Detroit Bureau of Governmental Research, a little organization with an outsized agenda. Over the next 100 years it merged with the Michigan Public Expenditure Survey, became a statewide organization, and the name changed to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. Agendas, names and geographic focus may have changed, but the organization’s commitment to unbiased public policy research in pursuit of better government for citizens of Detroit and Michigan has never wavered. That’s worth celebrating.
Order your copy of the 100 year history of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan today


September Celebration
The Citizens Research Council’s friends and family gathered on the evening of September 22nd at the The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth,to celebrate our centennial. The evening featured former Governors Blanchard and Engler and we honored Gene Gargaro for his years of service to the Citizens Research Council as a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
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Michigan Political History Society
On Tuesday, June 7, the Michigan Political History Society hosted the Citizens Research Council to introduce our new book that commemorates our 100th anniversary. The recorded session is available on YouTube or can be viewed below.

April 13, 2016, 100 years after the day the lights came on and work began
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Coverage of the Citizens Research Council Centennial
How to make democracy work in Michigan
Detroit News, May 12, 2016
The survey data also show that the divide between those with liberal and conservative leanings is growing. We at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan are struck by the growing trend of policy-making based on ideological faith rather than researched reason. Some vote on policy decisions with the faith that their political leanings will result in improvements, rather than digging into all of the information to make reasoned decisions.
A century of fighting for good government
Lansing State Journal, April 12, 2016
The Citizens Research Council marks its 100th year of working behind the scenes toward making local and state government work better.
Here’s a thought: Know what you’re talking about before you criticize
Michigan Radio, April 12, 2016
There was a systematic failure of government at the highest levels, and we’ll still be sorting out what went wrong for some time. I do not know whether the Citizens’ Research Council of Michigan is planning to issue a report about what went wrong in Flint.
Citizens Research Council marks 100 years of putting government under its microscope
Bridge Magazine, April 12, 2016
The Citizens Research Council of Michigan is hardly a household name in most of the state. With fewer than 10 full-time employees, housed in unremarkable office buildings in Livonia and Lansing, its low profile belies its impact in state policy circles.
A Century Of “Making Democracy Work”
WestSouthwest – WMUK Kalamazoo Public Radio, April 14, 2016
The non-partisan, non-profit public policy research organization is marking its 100th anniversary. The Council is holding a series of events and is releasing a book Citizens Research Council of Michigan, 100 Years, Making Democracy Work.
A Century of Wonky Love
Gongwer Blog, April , 2016
If anyone could write a love letter to a wonkish organization, well, this would be the letter.
The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has celebrated its 100th anniversary this week, and the nearly 10 million souls in this state are lucky for that. The CRC has been an organization willing to wade into the murky, weed-choked ponds of public policy and made them a little clearer for the citizens to ingest. In so doing, it has helped change this state.


Congratulatory Documents
A number of tributes and proclamations are coming in.
Governor Snyder
Michigan State Board of Education
Ingham County
Oakland County
Kent County
Macomb County
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG)
Michigan Association of Counties (MAC)
Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU)
Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA)
Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)
Michigan Municipal League (MML)
Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO)
Michigan Township Association (MTA)
Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending (CAPPS)
State Representative Poleski and State Senator Shirkey

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