Policy Researcher Tutorial

---

24. Michigan Political Sources

Citizens Research Council of Michigan

Analyzes state and local government finances and organization (e.g. tax assessments, funding a new Detroit stadium)

Research reports on policy proposals as well as selected testimony before the state legislature

Web site indexes publications since 1916 and provides the text of some publications

Detroit News

Lead metro, state, national, and international news

Editorials, sports, cartoons, lottery numbers, death notices

Archive begins with July 23, 1995

Keyword index available for back files

Gongwer News Service

Behind-the-scenes political report on the Michigan Legislature and legislation

Quotations by legislators and lobbyists made on the floor, in committee, and in news conferences

Coverage begins with September 1993

Searchable by date or keyword

Single-site password available in Documents Center; ask staff for sign-on

Michigan in Brief

Analyzes 65 issues likely to come before the State Legislature

Examples include AIDS, assisted suicide, casinos, civil rights, crime, firearms, Headlee Amendment, roads, taxes and welfare reform

Provides background with statistics, pro and con arguments, and web or address sources for additional information

Appendices address a variety of non-legislative issues (foundations, volunteerism, basic statistics and state symbols)

Economic, political and cultural history of Michigan since the 17th Century

Concise but meaty descriptions of state and local government

Sponsored by the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Council of Michigan Foundations, and Public Sector Consultants

Michigan Municipal League

Summary of proposed state legislation affecting local governments

Federal/state relations, environment, and public works

Includes links to bills and Michigan Municipal League position

Municipal lobbying primer

Senate Fiscal Agency

Search for special and recurring reports on economic issues of legislative concern (e.g. prisons, local government debt, charter schools) beginning 1994

Full text available beginning June 1996

Selected analyses of bills before the State Legislature beginning 1997

Text of all bill analyses listed along with the bill text under the Michigan Legislature web site