Public Sector Reports 1999

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.

• Is the Environmental Justice Controversy Symptomatic of a Larger Problem?
  by Maunda Burke, Consultant for Environmental and Public Policy

  Explains the environmental justice controversy and why it has put the business community and residents at odds in many of the state's and nation's most economically depressed areas.
  February 12

• Governor’s Proposed Budget, FY 1999–2000
  by Robert Kleine, Vice President and Senior Economist, and Nick Khouri, Vice President

  Summarizes the highlights of Governor Engler's recommended state budget for the coming fiscal year. Comments on the budget's economic assumptions as well as its controversial aspects.
  March 5

• Chicago School Reform
  by Kenneth A. Payne, Senior Consultant

  Examines recent reforms to the Chicago public schools for lessons that may be useful as Detroit prepares to reform its public school system.
  April 2

• Michigan's Rainy Day Fund: Is It Adequate?
  by Colleen G. Scott, Consultant for Economic Policy, and Robert Kleine, Vice President and Senior Economist

  Explains “rainy day” funds and analyzes the status of Michigan's and the effect the phaseout of the single business tax will have on it.
  July 2

• Overview and Analysis of the Michigan Budget, Fiscal Year 1999–2000
  by Colleen G. Scott, and Robert Kleine

  Describes the FY 1999-98 state budget. Included are changes from FY 1998-99 appropriations and from the governor's recommendations.
  August 16

• The National Elections: One Year Out
  by Craig Ruff, President

  Assesses the early prospects for the November 2000 elections.
  November 19

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 Kimball, affiliated consultant, and Ken Payne, Senior Consultant.

• January 22 /and/ 29
• February 5 /and/ 12 /and/ 19 /and/ 26
• March 5 /and/ 12 /and/ 19 /and/ 26
• April 16 /and/ 23 /and/ 30
• May 7 /and/ 14 /and/ 21 /and/ 28
• June 4 /and/ 11 /and/ 18
• September 17 /and/ 24
• October 1 /and/ 8 /and/ 15 /and/ 22 /and/ 29
• November 5 /and/ 12
• December 3

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.

• Federal Budget Surpluses: An Opportunity We Can't Afford to Waste
  July 16
• The President Visits Michigan
  July 26
• Isn’t It Time for Some Bad News?
  August 16
• Summer’s Political Musings
  September 2
• To Reform Campaign Finance, Let’s Try Shortening Campaigns
  November 24

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 Jane Powers, Senior Consultant for Health Policy and Peter Pratt, Ph.D., Vice President and Senior Consultant for Health Policy.

• Growing Hispanic Population Poses Major Health Care Implications

  Discusses the effect that America's growing percentage of Hispanics will have in coming years.
  January

• Certificate of Need: A Policy Primer

  Describes the state CON program and summarizes the arguments to retain, modify, or alter it.
  February

• An Interview with Rep. Gerald Law

  Reports on the views of the chairman of the House Health Policy Committee.
  March

• Hospital Officials Discuss Layoffs and Mergers

  Presents views on the extent and implications of hospitals financial difficulties.
  April

• An Interview with Rep. Paul DeWeese

  Presents an interview with this freshman state representative from Williamston with a strong commitment to health care.
  May

• Contentious MDCH Budget Gains Final Approval

  Reports on the highlights of the FY 1999–2000 state budget for the Michigan Department of Community Health.
  June

• The Prescription Drug Program: Cornerstone of Clinton’s Medicare Reform

  Explains President Clinton's proposed prescription drug benefit for seniors, a program which plays a central part in his campaign for Medicare reform.
  July

• The Latest on Federal Managed Care Legislation

  Discusses the two legislative packages under consideration, one a bipartisan effort supported by the president and the other a Republican-sponsored alternative.
  August

• The Access to Health Care Coalition

  Describes the goals and accomplishments of the Access to Health Care Coalition, an alliance of leaders in health care sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and dedicated to improving access to health care in the state.
  September

• AIDS in Michigan

  Presents current data and information on infection and transmission in Michigan and discusses the challenges to community health planning and service delivery.
  October/November

• The Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999

  Describes the effects of the budget cuts instigated by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 on health care and discusses how the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 will attempt to alleviate some of those effects.
  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; periodically, a special insert presents a general economic forecast or an analysis of economic data for each of the seven Michigan regions.
Written by Robert J. Kleine, M.B.A., Vice President and Senior Economist; Colleen G. Scott, Consultant for Economic Policy; and Ken Payne, Senior Consultant. (available in Acrobat format)

• Report Compares State Highway Taxes and Spending and Tax and Budget Committee Assignments Announced and Electronic Tax Filing Encouraged.
  January
• 1999: How Likely Is a Recession? and Legislature Passes Income Tax Cut and State Discovers Deficit.
  February
• The Narrowing Gender Gap
  March
• Medical Costs Up and Surplus Sparks Debate and Jobs Commission Abolished.
  April
• 1998 Michigan Personal Income Growth Lags and SBT Slated for Reduction and Plan to Attract High-Tech Companies and GM tax Break Signed
  May
• Record Increase in Michigan Property Tax Values and Single Business Tax Phaseout Approved and State May Preempt Living Wage Ordinances
  June
• IRS Releases Michigan Tax Data and Second Major Tax Cut Package of 1999 Becomes Law and State Board of Education Adopts Strategic Plan and Fiscal Year 1999–2000 Budget Passed
  July
• Economic Indicators Send Mixed Signals
  August
• Have New High-Tech Industries Increased Economic Productivity?
  September
• The New Generation of Entrepreneurs and Education Tops Legislative Agenda and State Revenues Remain Strong
  October
• Effects of Proposal A and Education Reform Bills Stall and Supermajority Provisions in the Works
  November
• 1997 Economic Census and Progress on Electric Deregulation and Locals to Fight Back and Right-to-Farm Bill Advances
  December