MPLP Applications for Class of 2009 Due September 5

If elected office, or greater service to your community, is on your horizon, then the Michigan Political Leadership Program is for you.

Applications are now being accepted for the leadership training program considered one of the nation’s best. Applications must be postmarked by Sept. 5, 2008.

For more information, contact Program Administrator Barb Knuth, knuthb@msu.edu, 517-353-0891. More

Michigan’s Consumer Confidence Falls to Record Low

Michigan’s consumer confidence has dropped to a historic low, its residents say in the latest results from IPPSR’s State of the State Survey.

The spring 2008 survey finds that 57.3 percent of the state’s residents believe they’re worse off now than they were a year ago – a record high.

The latest survey also tracks citizen ratings of Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and President George Bush. More

Tracking consumer confidence (.pdf)

Tracking government performance (.pdf)

 IPPSR Survey Research Tracks Public Opinion in 2008 Presidential Election Year

In a national political election year, all eyes are on the presidential race.

In this election year, IPPSR is pursuing two survey research projects offering insight into the 2008 presidential race.

The first project follows Michigan State University student presidential preferences in a unique online survey. More            The second, IPPSR Outlook ’08, tracks national polls to assess of the closeness of the Electoral College. More   

New IPPSR Report: Perspectives on Retiree Healthcare

A new IPPSR report examines the complexities surrounding the funding of state retiree health benefits and possible options to finance the state’s future healthcare obligations.

The report, Balancing Dollars and Health Sense: A Framework for Decision Making on Funding State Retiree Health Care Benefits, was written for the Center for State & Local Government Excellence.

The report examines healthcare options in eight states, including Michigan, and recommends a series of steps to reduce long-term costs.

Hear MSU Professor Harry Perlstadt, a report co-author, talk about the future of retiree benefits.

MSU Students Predict Obama Presidency

Michigan State University students are strongly predicting that Democrat Barack Obama will win the White House.

In the latest wave of a first-ever online survey, Michigan State University students forecast that the Illinois senator will win the presidency over Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain.

The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research survey also asked young voters what issues they think will most influence the November election’s outcome.
More

Michigan Citizens Strongly Support
Newly Enhanced Driver's Licenses

Michigan’s citizens support “enhanced” driver’s licenses that would carry digitally stored information such as their pictures and fingerprints, researchers said in sharing survey results at an IPPSR Public Policy Forum.

Criminal Justice and Homeland Security researchers found that 70 percent of Michigan residents preferred use of a specialized driver’s license over a passport to cross the borders between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

More than half of those taking part in a new State of the State Survey also said preventing terrorists from entering Michigan through Canada should be a top priority for the state.

Michigan is now taking steps to create an enhanced driver’s license under federal homeland security laws.
More

IPPSR Survey Researchers Featured in
New England Journal of Medicine

IPPSR Office for Survey Research Director Larry Hembroff is co-author of a New England Journal of Medicine study aimed at improving the lives of men with prostate cancer.

OSR Project Manager Jill Hardy was cited in the article for her “expert project management” of the survey research.

The MSU survey research team conducted telephone interviews with 1,201 men and 625 spouses before treatment and after to provide key data for medical professionals from nine hospitals.
More

IPPSR Research Cited in Grant to Curb High-Risk Drinking

Two IPPSR researchers have been cited as part of an award-winning team to help continue to curb student alcohol use.

Larry Hembroff, Ph.D., director of IPPSR’s Office for Survey Research, and Senior Project Manager Karen Clark conducted surveys each semester designed to find out student perceptions and use of alcohol.

Don't miss the YouTube video showing how IPPSR researchers conducted evaluations of programs to help cut down binge drinking.

Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research connects scholarly work with the policymaking community through applied and survey research, community dialogue and political leadership training. Our research is exacting. Our applications are far-reaching.

Our work is on view in books, journal publications, peer presentations, the trade press, through public testimony, professional participation in public debate and in the actions of the leaders engaged by our programs.

IPPSR transforms the results of research into resolve, solutions and strategies for our campus, our Michigan Capital and our communities throughout the nation and the world.