MTA paper: Michigan state and local government expenditures far below national average

While proposals to reform Michigan government to reduce costs, while maintaining acceptable service levels, deserve careful consideration, a new MTA white paper presents data demonstrating the impression of "out-of-control" state and local spending in Michigan is, in fact, is a mischaracterization of state and local government budget practices. 

In its recently released paper, MTA analyzed data from U.S. Census Bureau 2008 State and Local Revenue and Expenditures summaries, adjusted to per capita amounts for state-by-state comparisons of state and local government revenues and expenditures. The result? Evidence that Michigan government expenditures have been substantially driven down by declining resources, even without major reforms to the Michigan government structure.

Key revelations in the paper include:

• That Michigan public policy-makers, at all levels, are approaching the challenge of funding government with fewer resources than the levels available to their counterparts in other states.
• Spending on local government services continues at a level much below the national median in almost every category.
• Michigan has plunged to the bottom in public infrastructure spending--jeopardizing the public facilities, including roads, that contribute to our state's quality of life and business attraction and retention.

Restoring Michigan to prosperity is the Michigan Townships Association's overriding strategic goal, and the MTA membership is supportive of public policies impacting on government revenue streams and delivery of services that will likely achieve their intended results and avoid unintentional adverse consequences.  The MTA paper provides material to assist our state's decision-makers in establishing the appropriate path that our state will choose for years to come.

Read the paper here.