There are three ways that a project can be on the Citizens Research Council research agenda. 1) Recurring projects. Certain projects are done on a continuing basis. These include updating of the Research Council’s popular Outline of the Michigan Tax System; monitoring of the State of Michigan budget; and analysis of all statewide ballot issues. 2) Outside requests. Requests for projects come from many sources: Associations, government agencies, elected officials, foundations, and business and labor. 3) Internally generated projects. CRC prides itself on its understanding of what is important in state and local government and will frequently place projects on the agenda.

Any proposed project is scrutinized by the staff and the Board of Directors to assure that it meets certain criteria. The project must be: 1) within the scope of the mission of CRC; 2) of general public interest; 3) a significant issue; 4) amenable to factual research; 5) capable of being performed within existing CRC resources or reasonably available outside resources; and 6) of a nature that will not compromise the independence or credibility of CRC.

At one time, all Research Council publications were printed and distributed by mail, and that still happens with a few Research Council reports. Currently, however, the primary medium for distributing Research Council research results is our website, www.crcmich.org. The Internet is a much more powerful medium, permitting CRC to release reports in a more timely fashion, include large data bases that would be cumbersome and expensive to print, and include links to other sources of information on a given subject.

CRC also participates in numerous public presentations, either initiated by CRC or by other organizations. CRC staff average 1-2 presentations per week. These occur all over the State of Michigan.

Finally, CRC enjoys good relations with the media, especially the press. Press coverage is important in informing citizens and policy makers of the work of the Council.