Michigan Think Tanks, Policy Institutes, And Advocacy Groups

American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan
http://www.aclumich.org/
The mission of the ACLU of Michigan is to enforce the Bill of Rights and advance its principles. Through a variety of public education programs, our legislative program, based in Lansing, and our litigation program, supported almost entirely by volunteer attorneys, the ACLU is the premier civil rights organization in the country. The ACLU has earned widespread respect and love for its consistent defense of constitutionally based principles.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Anderson Economic Group
http://www.andersoneconomicgroup.com/
This Lansing based firms offers expert consulting services to the public and private sectors. Be sure to check out the online publication section.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Michigan
http://aftmichigan.org/index.html
Publish a Capital Report
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan
http://www.abcmi.com
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan (ABC-MI) is a statewide trade association representing nearly 1,200 merit shop contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and related firms across Michigan.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

The Center for Michigan
http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/website/
The Center for Michigan is a "think-and-do tank" founded by Phil Power in early 2006. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, The Center's objective is to assist our state through its current period of wrenching economic trouble and to lay the foundation of informed hope for a better future Michigan. It will help develop and execute comprehensive, long-range and, in some cases, radical policy solutions to transform Michigan's business, economic, political and cultural climate. In so doing, it will work to help reform the structure and workings of Michigan's political system.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Citizen's Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending
http://www.capps-mi.org/
The Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending, a non-profit public policy organization, is concerned about the social and economic costs of prison expansion. Because policy choices, not crime rates, have caused our prison population to explode, CAPPS advocates re-examining those policies and shifting our resources to public services that prevent crime, rehabilitate offenders, and address the needs of all our citizens in a cost-effective manner. To achieve these goals, CAPPS develops data-driven proposals for reducing the prison population while ensuring public safety. It informs policymakers, advocacy groups, the news media, and the general public about these issues through numerous means, including a website, a newsletter, research reports, legislative testimony, speaking appearances, and the distribution of information kits to legislators and the media.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Citizen's Research Council of Michigan
http://www.crcmich.org
The Citizens Research Council of Michigan is a privately funded, not-for-profit public affairs research organization, founded in 1916. For over 80 years, the objective of CRC has been to provide factual, unbiased, independent information on significant issues concerning state and local government organization and finance.
Be sure to check out the CRC Online Almanac with data about Michigan as well as to a variety of online reports about Michigan public policy issues.
The CRC also compiles its own list of Michigan Think Tanks.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM)
http://www.micountyroads.org/
The County Road Association of Michigan represents the interests and concerns of Michigan's 83 county road agencies. Along with each county road agency, CRAM is working to ensure safe and efficient roads for all who travel in Michigan.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Detroit Regional Chamber
http://www.detroitchamber.com/main/index.asp
Although the Chamber stays heavily involved in public policy while keeps strong ties to local, state and federal government, it is not a part of any one municipality. Instead, through its offices in Detroit, Lansing and Washington, D.C., the Chamber lobbies on behalf of businesses throughout the 10-county region of Southeast Michigan when pending legislation may have an impact.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Detroit Renaissance
http://www.detroitrenaissance.com/
Detroit Renaissance provides leadership to accelerate the economic transformation of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Renaissance accomplishes this work through serving as a catalyst to develop growth strategies, advocate for those strategies and champion of specific initiatives that accelerate growth.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Education Policy Center at Michigan State University
http://www.epc.msu.edu/
The center engages in outreach activities aimed at improving the quality of education for students at all levels of Michigan's education system, from early childhood through post-secondary education.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Environment Michigan Research and Policy Center
http://environmentmichigan.org/center
In 2006, Environment Michigan Research and Policy Center became the new home of Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM) Education Fund's environmental work, focusing exclusively on protecting Michigan's air, water and open spaces.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Insurance Institute of Michigan
http://www.iiminfo.org/
The Insurance Institute of Michigan (IIM) is a government affairs and public information association proud to represent more than 90 property/casualty insurance companies and related organizations operating in Michigan. IIM's purpose is to serve the Michigan insurance industry and the insurance consumer as a central focal point for educational, media, legislative and public information on insurance issues.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Lone Tree Council
http://www.lonetreecouncil.com/Historyenvironmental.htm
Saginaw-based environmental action group.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Mackinac Center for Public Policy
http://www.mackinac.org/
http://www.mackinac.org/search.htm
Very influential - conservative - think tank in Michigan.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Make Mi Air Smokefree
Campaign for Smokefree Air
http://www.makemiairsmokefree.com/
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Association of Counties
http://www.micounties.org/
No other unit of Michigan government impacts residents' lives more directly than county government. From the roads that carry commuters to work and children to school, to the parks and recreation areas that make the Great Lakes State special, county governments make our state work.
The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) was formed in 1898 to advocate for the interests of Michigan's county governments. Over the past 100 years, MAC has evolved into a highly respected organization that offers the full spectrum of association services that distribute important public information to its members. MAC offers members educational programs, legislative representation, local workshops, a legislative and summer conference, and produces a MAC newspaper, commissioner directory, and legislative communications to keep members up to date on the latest events that affect county governments.
Many sections of the web site are restricted to members.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Association of School Boards
http://www.masb.org/
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Association of School Business Officials
http://www.msbo.org/
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Campaign Finance Network
http://www.mcfn.org/
The Michigan Campaign Finance Network is a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of organizations and individuals concerned about the influence of money in politics and the need for campaign finance reform in Michigan. MCFN conducts research on campaign contributions and their relationship to election outcomes and issues of public policy, supports access to campaign finance information and develops educational initiatives for the public on the subject of campaign finance reform.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Chamber of Commerce
http://www.michamber.com/mx/hm.asp?id=home
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce applies the resources of the state’s job providers to lower taxes, reduce business costs, fight unnecessary government regulations and interference, improve the economy and create jobs for Michigan citizens.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation
http://www.savemiwater.org/
Welcome to saveMIwater.org... a website dedicated to helping Michigan's citizens protect one of our most valuable natural resources: our communities' water supplies.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care
http://stoparrestingpatients.org/
Sponsoring a ballot proposal to legalize medical marijuana on the November 2008 ballot.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association
http://memspa.org/
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Environmental Council
http://www.mecprotects.org/
The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) provides a collective voice for the environment at the local, state and federal levels. Working with our 75 member groups and their collective membership of nearly 200,000 residents, MEC is addressing the primary assaults on Michigan’s environment; promoting alternatives to urban blight and suburban sprawl; advocating for a sustainable environment and economy; protecting Michigan’s water legacy; promoting cleaner energy; and working to diminish environmental impacts on children’s health.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Fiscal Responsibility Project
Also called Michigan Tax Truth
http://www.mitaxtruth.com/
Providing citizens, policymakers, elected officals, and the media with accurate and true information about state government taxes and spending in Michigan.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Future Inc.
http://www.michiganfuture.org/
Michigan Future, Inc., is a non-partisan, non-profit organization. Michigan Future's mission is to be a source of new ideas on how Michigan's people, enterprises and communities can succeed in the Information Age. Its work is funded primarily by Michigan foundations. Its current work is focused on:
(1)launching a high school designed to connect students to good-paying careers in the automotive industry
(2)launching an employer-centered system for reducing chronic unemployment in Detroit
(3)developing an action plan for revitalizing Michigan's central cities
(4)developing a New Agenda for a New Michigan
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Future Blog Archives
http://www.michiganfuture.com/archives.html
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Grocers Association
http://michigangrocers.org/
The Michigan Grocers Association (MGA) is a voluntary, statewide non-profit organization representing food retailers and the companies that serve and supply them. Founded in 1898, MGA is Michigan's most respected and best connected food industry association. MGA is the leading advocate for the state's food industry, representing the business interests of retailers and their suppliers in daily communication with Legislators, regulatory agencies and the public.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Infrastructure and Transporation Association
http://www.mi-ita.com/
MITA is a statewide construction trade association formed in 2005 through the merger of Associated Underground Contractors and the Michigan Road Builders Association. The membership consists of nearly 800 Michigan companies representing construction disciplines such as road and bridge, sewer and water, utility, railroad, excavation and specialty construction. The organization consists of 14 employees as well as a number of professional consultants, including Public Affairs Associates of Lansing.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Invasive Plants Council
http://www.invasiveplantsmi.org/
The Michigan Invasive Plant Council got underway as a direct result of the Federal Executive Order on Invasive Plants, signed by President Clinton on February 3, 1999. The group met to formally address mutual concerns about the effects of invasive plants in Michigan. MIPC adopted by-laws in January 2002 and its first Board of Directors was elected under those by-laws at the Council's first annual meeting held March 2002.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Land Use Institute
http://www.mlui.org/
The Michigan Land Use Institute was founded in 1995 to establish an approach to economic development that strengthens communities, enhances opportunity, and protects the state's unmatched natural resources. Our mission from the beginning has been to help Michigan avoid the patterns of suburban sprawl and over-development that cause traffic congestion, pollution, loss of community, rising costs to individuals and governments, and a deteriorating quality of life.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan League for Human Services
http://www.milhs.org/
The Michigan League for Human Services (MLHS) is a statewide citizens non-profit organization dedicated to education, research and advocacy for the benefit of low income and other vulnerable citizens in the state of Michigan. MLHS is comprised of over 1,900 organizational and individual members and has served the human services community in Michigan since 1912.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Manufacturers Association
http://www.mma-net.org/
The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) has been serving manufacturers for more than 100 years, providing effective representation at Michigan’s Capitol; timely educational seminars; quality, competitive-rate insurance programs; and many more services. Explore our site and learn more about MMA and Michigan manufacturing — the foundation of our state’s economy.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Municipal League
http://www.mml.org/
The mission of the League is to advocate on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington DC and the courts; provide educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and to assist municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Recycling Coalition
http://www.michiganrecycles.org/
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) is a non-profit environmental organization whose mission is: To foster effective resource use in Michigan by developing, supporting and educating a coalition of business, government, non-profit and individual members working toward the common goals of waste reduction, recycling, reuse, composting and recycled-content purchasing.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Restaurant Association
http://www.michiganrestaurant.org/
The Michigan Restaurant Association represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 421,000 people and creating more than $12.3 billion in total annual sales.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Retailers Association
http://www.retailers.com/
The Michigan Retailers Association is the unified voice of Michigan’s retail industry. Retailers provide more than $128 billion worth of goods and services annually to consumers in Michigan and employ 855,000 Michiganians -- almost one in five jobs in Michigan’s economy.
Headquartered in Lansing, MRA provides aggressive legislative representation and a wide range of profit-boosting services to more than 5,500 member retail businesses, which own and operate more than 12,000 stores across the state. Members range in size from the smallest single-store operations to the largest national and international chains.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan School Business Officials, see Michigan Association of School Business Officials

Michigan State Medical Society
http://www.msms.org/
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan State University
Institute for Public Policy and Social Research
http://www.ippsr.msu.edu/
The nonpartisan public policy network at Michigan State University. Our staff is dedicated to connecting legislators, scholars, and practitioners through applied research, lively policy forums, and political leadership instruction.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Taxpayers Alliance
http://www.mitaxpayers.org/
Group led by Leon Drolet to recall Michigan legislators who voted for tax increases as part of the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Michigan Townships Association
http://www.michigantownships.org/
The Michigan Townships Association promotes the interests of 1,242 townships by fostering strong, vibrant communities; advocating legislation to meet 21st century challenges; developing knowledgeable, township officials and enthusiastic supporters of township government; and encouraging ethical practices of elected officials who uphold the traditions and unique characteristics of township government and the values of the people of Michigan.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Presidents Council : State Universities of Michigan
http://www.pcsum.org/
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Public Interest Group in Michigan (PIRGIM)
http://www.pirgim.org/
When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, PIRGIM speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. PIRGIM’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Public Sector Associates
http://www.publicpolicy.com/
Serving clients throughout the United States, Public Policy Associates provides high-caliber, thoughtful policy research that results in strategies of value in the real world. Many reports focus on Michigan.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Public Sector Consultants
http://www.pscinc.com/
A private Michigan corporation providing policy research in the areas of health, education, economics, the environment, and technology; survey research; program evaluation; and strategic planning. The web page provides access to many public policy reports. Also produce Michigan in Brief.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

Small Business Association of Michigan
http://www.sbam.org/
The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1967.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

University of Michigan
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP)
http://www.umich.edu/~closup/
The University of Michigan provides this web page as an entry point for anyone interested in tapping its collective public policy resources.
(Last checked 02/28/08)

 

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