New IPPSR Report: Perspectives on Retiree Healthcare

A new IPPSR report examines the complexities surrounding the funding of state retiree health benefits and possible options to finance the state’s future healthcare obligations.

The Report, Balancing Dollars and Health Sense: A Framework for Decision Making on Funding State Retiree Health Care Benefits, was written for the Center for State & Local Government Excellence.

The report examines healthcare options in eight states, including Michigan, and recommends a series of steps to reduce long-term costs.

MSU Students Predict Obama Presidency

Michigan State University students are strongly predicting that Democrat Barack Obama will win the White House.

In the latest wave of a first-ever online survey, Michigan State University students forecast that the Illinois senator will win the presidency over Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain.

The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research survey also asked young voters what issues they think will most influence the November election’s outcome.
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Michigan Citizens Strongly Support
Newly Enhanced Driver's Licenses

Michigan’s citizens support “enhanced” driver’s licenses that would carry digitally stored information such as their pictures and fingerprints, researchers said in sharing survey results at an IPPSR Public Policy Forum.

Criminal Justice and Homeland Security researchers found that 70 percent of Michigan residents preferred use of a specialized driver’s license over a passport to cross the borders between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

More than half of those taking part in a new State of the State Survey also said preventing terrorists from entering Michigan through Canada should be a top priority for the state.

Michigan is now taking steps to create an enhanced driver’s license under federal homeland security laws.
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IPPSR Survey Researchers Featured in
New England Journal of Medicine

IPPSR Office for Survey Research Director Larry Hembroff is co-author of a New England Journal of Medicine study aimed at improving the lives of men with prostate cancer.

OSR Project Manager Jill Hardy was cited in the article for her “expert project management” of the survey research.

The MSU survey research team conducted telephone interviews with 1,201 men and 625 spouses before treatment and after to provide key data for medical professionals from nine hospitals.
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Fiscal Wake-Up Leader on WKAR-TV
Calls on Country to Debate the Deficit

U.S. Comptroller General David Walker brought a sobering Fiscal Wake-Up Tour message to MSU in December. Now, he sounds that warning again on WKAR-TV in an interview with Capitol Correspondent Tim Skubick.

Walker lead a panel of budget analysts who called for Americans to help raise the alarm about rising Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare costs. See an online video from the Tour's stop at MSU .

For more information about the presentations....

Experienced Researcher Joins IPPSR Survey Staff

Linda Stork, a researcher with more than 20 years experience in national field and telephone surveys, is the new Director of Survey Operations at IPPSR's Office for Survey Research.

At MSU, Ms. Stork will be responsible for recruiting, training and managing the day-to-day data collection activities of OSR’s Survey Research Lab.

OSR’s Survey Research Lab maintains 45 telephone interviewing stations staffed by 80-120 interviewers and 10 shift supervisors during the average year. OSR conducts roughly 25,000-30,000 telephone interviews each year.

IPPSR Research Cited in Grant to Curb High-Risk Drinking

Two IPPSR researchers have been cited as part of an award-winning team to help continue to curb student alcohol use.

Larry Hembroff, Ph.D., director of IPPSR’s Office for Survey Research, and Senior Project Manager Karen Clark conducted surveys each semester designed to find out student perceptions and use of alcohol.

Don't miss the YouTube video showing how IPPSR researchers conducted evaluations of programs to help cut down binge drinking.

Applied Policy Research Grants Explore
Vital Cities, Renewed Energy and Personal Security

Research exploring new strategies in urban revitalization, renewable energy, homeland security and other pressing social questions is now underway through Michigan Applied Public Policy Research grants available through IPPSR.

The latest grants fund the work of 17 Michigan State University faculty members. Over 10 years, $2.25 million in grants have been awarded for research into timely and innovative solutions.

IPPSR Forum Message: Michigan's Research Universities Make Significant Contribution to the State's Economy

Michigan's research universities are major contributors to the state's economy, according to a new study showcased at IPPSR's final 2007 Forum.

Together, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University spent more than $6.5 billion in 2006, the Anderson Economic Group study shows. The schools rank among the nation's top research institutions and attracted more than $800 million in research and development financing.

Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research connects scholarly work with the policymaking community through applied and survey research, community dialogue and political leadership training. Our research is exacting. Our applications are far-reaching.

Our work is on view in books, journal publications, peer presentations, the trade press, through public testimony, professional participation in public debate and in the actions of the leaders engaged by our programs.

IPPSR transforms the results of research into resolve, solutions and strategies for our campus, our Michigan Capital and our communities throughout the nation and the world.