Hard times, Hard choices: Michigan Citizens Deliberate

 

The results of a “deliberative poll,” show Michigan residents willing to reform Michigan’s tax structure

A weekend-long event held in Lansing during November, 2009 brought together Michigan leaders and 300 citizens to discuss critical issues related to Michigan’s economy and other areas, leading up to the 2010 election. This unique gathering brought together citizens from across Michigan to deliberate about the state's economic crisis. The citizens came to listen and they came to be heard.

The event is captured in a 56-minute documentary report that gives voice to the citizens of Michigan who all too often have been overshadowed by a public discussion dominated by politicians. The documentary which aired Monday, January 18, 2010, on Michigan PBS stations, features highlights of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s address to the group on Friday night, and of the Saturday keynote address by University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman.

The event also featured three panel discussions, on poverty, unemployment, jobs and education; spending cuts and taxes; and Michigan’s future policymakers and pundits.

The participants were a statistical microcosm of the state in age, education, employment (and unemployment) and political persuasion. Participating in a Deliberative Poll, upon arrival, the participants filled out a questionnaire to determine what preconceived notions and opinions each held on a wide variety of issues directly related to Michigan’s problems and possible solutions.

Over three days and two nights, the participants worked with facilitators from the Center for Deliberative Democracy, debating the issues in small groups and in large conferences in which panels of experts, with often opposing viewpoints, fielded their questions and provided their insights. The topics included tax policy, funding for education (particularly middle school, in which the state lags behind), reviewing prison sentencing and incarceration rates to reduce the fiscal burden, reforming the health care system for state employees, transportation, the “brain drain,” the consequences of term limits on the legislature, public assistance, and the best ways to redesign the state’s economy away from its reliance on automotive and manufacturing and a toward high-tech, ecologically friendly economy.

On the final day, the participants were polled again, and the results showed a dramatic swing in attitudes and opinions in several major areas:

• Respondents were much more willing to support increases in the state income tax and sales tax to eliminate cuts in education and some other social services.
• Respondents were persuaded that cutting both the Michigan Business Tax and reducing small business taxes were among the best ways to attract and keep businesses, thereby creating jobs.
• Support for increased investment in a “green economy”, agriculture, and tourism also went up significantly during the weekend, as did support for a high-tech, knowledge-based economy.

View complete Deliberative Polling results and supporting documents from the event…