Public Sector Reports
1996

Public Policy Advisor
A periodic series that examines such subjects as fiscal and tax policy, health and environmental issues, and education policy and offers commentary on current or emerging political, social, and policy issues.
Written by various staff members.

• Our Land, Our Future
  by William R. Rustem, Senior Vice President

  Adapted from a speech to the Michigan State Land Use Forum; presents the status of land use/abuse in the Michigan today and makes the point that responsible land use is an economic as well as an environment issue.
  January 19

• K–12 Student Migration: A Discussion of Statewide Open Enrollment
  by Paul R. Smyth, Ph.D.

  Examines recent legislative proposals to expand Michigan’s school choice options, one of which would include statewide open enrollment.
  March 8

• The Governor’s Budget: FY 1996–97
  by Robert Kleine, Vice President and Senior Economist, and Laurie A. Cummings, Senior Consultant for Economic and Education Policy

  Summarizes the highlights of Governor Engler’s recommended state budget for fiscal year 1996–97 and comments on the economic assumptions on which it is based as well as obstacles that must be overcome.
  March 15

• “Change for the Community,” A New Approach to Giving
  by Richard E. Chapin, Ph.D.

  Gives an interested citizen with an innovative public-service idea an opportunity to present his case to our readers; he proposes that people round their utility payments up to the next dollar and the proceeds be used for charitable programs.
  July 5

• Consolidating School Districts: Is There Strength in Numbers or Is Big Not Always Better?
  by Laurie A. Cummings

  Examines the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating, some of the reasons such action is not popular, and alternatives than can accomplish some of the objectives of consolidation.
  July 12

• Overview and Analysis of the Michigan Budget, Fiscal Year 1996–97
  by Robert Kleine and Laurie A. Cummings

  Describes the FY 1996–97 state budget. Compares (1) this and the prior years’ appropriations and (2) the 1996–97 appropriations passed and the governor’s recommendations; also discusses controversial budget items.
  August 2

Michigan Roundup (top)
A one-page summary of Michigan legislative activity and political news of significance to government operations, public policy, and voter attitudes. Published weekly during legislative sessions and intermittently during legislative recesses.
Written by David L. Kimball and Jonathan Hansen, Senior Consultants for Public Policy.

• January 12 and 19 and 26
• February 2 and 9 and 16 and 23
• March 1 and 8 and 15 and 22 and 29
• April 19 and 26
• May 3 and 10 and 17 and 23 and 31
• June 7
• September 13 and 20 and 27
• October 4
• November 15 and 22
• December 6 and 13

Michigan PeriSCope (top)
Brief commentaries and opinion pieces on issues of the day. Published periodically, sometimes in conjunction with Michigan Roundup.
Written by various staff members.

• Michigan Income Tax: Proposed Changes
  February 9
• Privatizing Social Security . . . An Idea Whose Time Has Come
  February 23
• PSC: Income Tax Reform Unaffordable; Democrats: The Plan Is Sound
  March 15
• And a Painted Turtle Shall Lead Them
  March 29
• Should the Minimum Wage be Raised?
  April 26
• Does State Economic Development Spending Really “Grow” Jobs?
  May 3
• The Second War between the States
  June 28
• Education Reform: It’s Not that Simple
  October 4

Health Policy Bulletin (top)
A monthly publication that provides analysis of important health care issues under consideration by the legislature, executive branch, and professional associations.
Written by Peter Pratt, Ph.D., Vice President and Senior Consultant for Health Care Policy; Martin Ackley, Consultant for Health Policy, and Christa A. Rosenberg, M.H.S., Senior Consultant for Health Policy, and Lisa D. Baragar, Consultant for Health Policy.

• Speculation Surrounds Department of Community Health

  Reports on the governor’s decision to merge the state departments of Mental and Public Health.
  January

• Patient Bill of Rights Activates Talk of Health Care Reform

  Describes the Patient Protection Act legislation and controversy surrounding it.
  February

• Blue Cross Trims Hospital Capital Payments

  Describes the cause and effects of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan’s new policy regarding reimbursement for hospital capital projects.
  March

• Michigan HMOs under the Microscope

  Discusses four recent reports on Michigan HMO operations and consumer satisfaction.
  April

• Health Care Savings through Wellness Programs

  Reports that work-site wellness programs are useful in limiting the growth of employers’ health care costs.
  May

• Community Health Department Taking Shape

  Describes the organization and the players in this newly formed state department.
  June

• Genetics is No Longer Tomorrow’s Health Issue

  Mentions some of the ethical, legal, and social questions raised by genetic therapy and genetic engineering and informs readers about community dialogues on the issues scheduled for this fall in seven Michigan cities.
  July

• Clinton Signs Kennedy-Kassebaum Health Care Legislation

  Reports on the highlights of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
  August

• Patient Bill of Rights Clears First Hurdle

  Reports on this important package of legislation passed by the state House of Representatives and speculates on its fate in the Senate.
  September

• Status of Governor Engler’s 1994 Health Promises

  Quotes the governor on health policy and reports the status of action on each promise.
  October

• Haveman, Smedes Discuss Future of Public Health Care

  Presents the state’s plan to develop a capitated managed-care system for Medicaid recipients.
  November

• Health Care Providers Express Concern about State Plan for Medicaid

  Describes anxiety of some providers who had hoped to bid for a state contract for capitated managed-care for Medicaid recipients.
  December

Michigan Economic Bulletin (top)
A monthly review of economic indicators, state revenue receipts, and appropriations and tax developments. Each issue contains current good and bad economic news, an article of special focus, a list of publications of interest, and economic news from the state capitol; in alternating quarters, a special insert presents a general economic forecast or analyzes economic data for each of the seven Michigan regions.
Written by Robert J. Kleine, M.B.A., Vice President and Senior Economist; Laurie A. Cummings, M.S., Senior Consultant for Economic and Education Policy; and Lisa D. Baragar, Consultant for Public Policy.

• Budget Cutters Eye the CPI and Tax Cuts Signed and GOP Puts Brakes on Tax Cuts and Democrats Propose Tax Cuts
  January
• Population Growth and FY 1996–97 Budget Assumes Federal Reforms
  February
• Food and Housing Dominate Poor’s Spending and Renaissance Zones Decision Nearing and State May Stamp Out Smuggling
  March
• Used-Car Buying Overhauled and Local Funding May Change and Adult Education Cuts Stir Controversy
  April
• Boomers Beware: Early Retirement May be Pipe Dream and Sales Tax Bill Faces Tough Road Ahead and Senate Passes Apprentice Tax Credit
  May
• Worthwhile Web Sites and Senate Approves Arts Tax and House Approves Big Revenue Sharing Change
  June
• Steady Returns vs. Social Concerns and Brownfields May Put Green in Corporate Pockets and Renaissance Zones Become Reality and Adult Ed Funding Cut in Half
  July
• Breaking Even with a College Degree and Federal Welfare Reform Gets State Off the Hook
  August
• Who Gains from Privatization? and Legislators Vote to Raise Minimum Wage and Nonresident Voter Bill of Rights Proposed and Followup: Adult Education Veto
  September
• Bipartisan Panel Explores Social Security Reform and Court Decision Could Cost State Big Bucks and Transportation Package Passes Senate
  October
• County Public-University Enrollment and Governor Proposes State Retirement Plan Revisions
  November

Election Watch (top)
A periodic publication of observation, speculation, and commentary about state and federal political and election-year matters. Examines key issues, the political fortunes and campaigns of candidates, and anticipates how election outcomes will affect future state public policy.
Written by Craig Ruff, M.P.P., President and Senior Consultant for Public Policy. (available in Acrobat^® format)

• The Advent of Campaign 1996
  April 26
• Setting the Stage: Federal Offices
  May 3
• Setting the Stage: State Offices
  May 17
• 1996 Election Guide: House of Representatives
  July 16
• Post-Primary Reflections
  August 16
• The Dole Tax Cuts: Good Politics or Good Economics?
  August 30
• 1996 Election Guide
  September 20
• It is the Economy, Stupid!
  October 18
• The Politics of Comfort
  October 25
• Bear Facts
  October 31
• Postscript to the 1996 Election
  November 8