LLP Sponsored Activities

• Three-day policy session for newly elected legislators
• Issue discussions between legislators, their staff, and researchers
• Policy forums with panel presentations
• Sponsorship of statewide surveys on current public policy issues
• Electronic posting and printed briefs of policy-related surveys and publications

December 2006 Policy Session
LLP focuses on issues that will be debated in the next legislative session. Each segment offers a comprehensive picture of an issue by providing a historical overview and discussion of policy alternatives. Former LLP participants, as well as legislative staff members, scholars and other policy leaders, help determine the program content every two years. The 2006 forum featured the following topics:

• State of the State Survey and Public Opinion, presented by MSU Office of Survey Research Director Larry Hembroff, PhD
The State of the State Survey (SOSS) is a quarterly, statewide telephone survey of about Michigan 1,000 adults. In this presentation Director Hembroff uses public opinion to describe trends and public priorities as reported by Michigan residents. Here, Hembroff demonstrates how Michigan reversed the digital divide. He also describes policy priorities surrounding neighborhood safety and schools.
Dr. Hembroff demonstrates December 2005 SOSS data finding positive relationships between trust in government and willingness to comply with an evacuation order. In the same survey, Michigan respondents reported low levels of trust in Federal government and slightly higher levels of trust in state and local governments.

Crime and Corrections, presented by MSU School of Criminal Justice Assistant Professor Carol Zimmerman.

• The Impact of Healthcare, presented by MSU College of Human Medicine Associate Dean Denise Holmes, PhD
Healthcare spending accounts for the largest budget item in the general fund, costing the state $2.9 billion.  In this presentations Dr. Holmes outlines three important concepts surrounding healthcare in the state of Michigan 1) the state is experiencing a workforce shortage that’s expected to get worse 2) healthcare has the potential to stimulate the economy by training more professionals and attracting funding through research 3) Medicaid costs growth will outpace revenue growth and will require reform.

• Emerging Health Issues, presented by Ingham County Health Department Medical Director Dean G. Sienko, M.D.
Dr. Sienko explains the impacts and potential impacts of influenza and shares relevant ideas and policy considerations. This presentation also describes the broad implication of chronic diseases. 125 million Americans live with a chronic disease, accounting for 75 percent of healthcare costs.  Compared to the rest of the nation, Michigan is ranked 1st in heart disease, 2nd in obesity and 2nd in diabetes. To address these statistics Seinko makes policy suggestions surrounding public education, prevention measure and environment. Other related considerations include redirecting settlement funds and promoting healthy lifestyles in schools.
Sienko also describes the consequences of unintended pregnancy and why they’re a public health issue. Higher health costs result from preterm and poor pregnancies. Children are at greater risk of abuse and more likely to end-up in the justice system. Again, Seinko recommends public education campaigns and planning services. He also outlines health issues concerning alcohol abuse, he points out that need for treatment currently exceeds services available.

• Our Central Cities, presented by Urban Collaborator Program Director June Thomas, PhD, AICP
In this presentation Dr. Thomas explains the direct relationship among city revitalization, the health of the suburbs and protection of Michigan’s agricultural industry.  Michigan’s core cities play a substantial role in the well-being of the state as a whole, yet often policy decisions overlook alternatives and policies that work in the best interest of urban areas.  Poor planning decisions and ignoring the needs of core cities have a measurable ripple effect on the state as a whole.

• The Revenue Situation, presented by Michigan Department of Treasury Economic and Revenue Forecasting Division Director Jeffrey P. Guilfoyle PhD.
Here, Dr. Guilfoyle gives an economic brush-up course for the state of Michigan.  He explains terminology surrounding taxes, the tax structure and what can and can not be changed through the legislative process.  Dr. Guilfoyle explains the states major revenue sources and provides a detailed forecast for the year 2007. He describes how tax revenue is allocated, earmarked and spent.

• Economic Future, presented by MSU Department of Economics Professor Charles L. Ballard PhD
Dr. Ballard illustrates Michigan economic trends including the decline of the auto industry, the loss of manufacturing jobs and the impacts on Michigan.  Dr. Ballard also describes growing inequalities among the state’s rich and poor. He also explains the unique circumstances surrounding the Single Business Tax.  He points-out that only people pay business taxes and Michigan has a comparatively regressive business tax in the nation.

• K-12 Achievement and Accountability, presented by MSU Education Policy Center Co-Director Sharif Shakrani, PhD
Dr. Shakrani describes K-12 academic trends and state benchmarks test in Michigan.  His findings show significant gaps between Michigan’s Black student, testing very low, and White students, testing much higher, particularly in math. He describes scoring gaps that have widened since 2000 between the races.  He describes similar gaps based on economic status.

• Natural Resource Economic Development, presented by Public Sector Consultants Inc., Vice-President Jack D. Bails, PhD
Here, Dr. Bails describes preservation issues and explains the regional importance of the Great Lakes Compact.  He describes past and current efforts to preserve water from the Great Lakes Basin and protections against diversion.  Dr. Bails presents lawmakers with a series of related issues that have not been identified and/or executed by legislation.  These issues include sanitary codes among growing numbers of septic systems and storm water runoff contamination while funds are shrinking and some local governments are unable to meet current requirement.

• Higher Education and the New Economy, presented by MSU Center for Higher and Adult Education Policy Professor James Fairweather, PhD.
Dr. Fairweather describes the benefits of higher education, the costs of education and the struggle to increase attendance and completion in the state.  He emphasis the state’s return on investments saying higher education investments always exceed the original investments, sometimes dramatically. But, he says rising tuition rates and decreased funding make college too expensive for many. Fairweather points out the policy relevance and explains the matrix of issues that contribute to increasing enrollment and retention rates.

• Labor Market, presented by University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Economic Professor Rebecca M. Blank, PhD
In this presentation, Dr. Blank describes the economic and social rewards of having a skilled workforce.  But, Michigan residents are less likely to have a Bachelors or advance degree than other states.  Despite having less college educated, Michigan has a smaller share of college educated residents less drop out of high school. Dr. Blank describes wage trends, finding that Michigan pays more than the national average for skilled workers. Dr. Blank describes policy alternatives intended to boost the numbers of skilled workers. She suggests re-integrating people coming out of prison and legislation that supports welfare-to-work efforts. She also describes the paradox the state faces keeping high skilled workers in the state while Michigan faces huge economic challenges.

• Michigan’s Budget Crisis and the Prospects for the Future, presented by Citizens Research Council of Michigan Director of State Affairs Tom Clay
Clay describes a structural deficit in Michigan affecting public K-12 education and general fund financed programs.  He says spending cuts and/or increased taxes will be necessary to address this deficit. Michigan is not well positioned to fix deficit issues while the state ranks 50th in personal income growth, 49th in unemployment and 49th in employment growth. He demonstrates how the general fund is being spent now, and what considerations (i.e. higher ed., human services and school aid) lawmakers will have as they reshape spending.  Clay points out the possibility of reducing the prison population, reducing the number of higher education institutions, eliminating some health benefits and/or eliminating state aid to local governments.

• Intergovernmental Relations, presented by MSU Department of Agricultural Economics Extension Specialist Eric Scorsone PhD
In this presentation Dr. Scorsone discusses the importance of local government as the entities closest to the public.  But, increasing expenditure and decreasing revenues are putting stress on these entities.  He points out statutes that allow shared services for recreation, libraries, police and emergency services.  He says cooperation does require some start-up and transitional costs but would result in lower costs and more efficient service.

Past participants of the December Session have referred to LLP as a "call to reality" when observing the diverse points of view, recent research findings, and factual presentations. One senator-elect described the program's strong point as its coverage of "diverse subject matter from an array of academicians and experienced policy makers." Another participant commented on the value of "meeting the experts in various fields and becoming aware of the available information resources." A third said, "The intensity of the program, although mind numbing, was appreciated. It forced us to concentrate and it let us know what's to come." Many participants have commented that LLP is a major contributor to meeting the "thirst for knowledge" created as a result of term limits.
Past faculty presenters include representatives from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, Ferris State University, and private research organizations.

Ongoing Exchange
The Legislative Leadership Program provides opportunities throughout the two-year legislative session for policy makers and faculty members to come together around issues of current concern. Seminars, public forums, and printed policy briefs all offer ways to provide information to legislators and their staff.

Other possibilities for resources of Michigan's land grant university to be matched with the needs of the state's policy makers include: utilizing distance learning technology to link policymakers, their constituents, and university resource people and specialized forums on policy related issues targeted specifically for legislative staff members.

Program Leadership
The specific composition of the advisory group varies depending on the issues facing the legislature and the type of research that best relates to the present policy debate.

For more information about Michigan State University's Legislative Leadership Program, contact AnnMarie Schneider at (517) 353-1738 or via email at annmarie@msu.edu