All eyes appear to be staying on Russia, Ukraine, inflation and November’s mid-term elections, Michigan State University’s IPPSR podcasters are forecasting, with new State of the State results showing that Michigan has soured on the economy and President Joe Biden.
Uncertainty sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already pushed up the price of gasoline. Russia and Ukraine are major wheat and corn growers, and their conflict will raise prices at the grocery stores, observes Charles Ballard, MSU economist and a member of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) podcast team.
With war-strangled supply disruptions and shortages, along with rising demand powered by economic stimulus checks, extra unemployment benefits, consumers are likely to find goods and services in short supply or delayed, Ballard said. This month’s IPPSR State of the State Podcast features IPPSR Director Dr. Matt Grossmann and IPPSR Associate Director Arnold Weinfeld.
Other highlights from the monthly internet broadcast:
- Inflation's likely to make a dent in President Biden's favor with voters, said Grossmann.
- Retirees' effect on the economy may be understated as their experience leaves the workforce, Ballard said.
- IPPSR's latest State of the State Survey, fielded in December 2021, shows Michigan voters, have soured on the economy, their own pocketbook, their outlook on the future and President Biden. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer still seems to be holding voter approval as she seeks re-election in November.
The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research is a part of the College of Social Science at Michigan State University. It specializes in policy education, leadership training and survey research.
IPPSR is the home of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, the Office for Survey Research, State of the State Survey, Legislative Leadership Program, Rosenthal Legislative Internship Program, more than 60 affiliate faculty members, student policy fellows and major research databases on topics of interest to academic researchers, legislators, policy makers, elected leaders and journalists around the world.
IPPSR’s monthly State of the State Podcast is broadcast with the assistance of WKAR Radio along with radio stations on the air and over the internet, on SoundCloud and ITunes. You'll also find this edition of the State of the State Podcast on MSU Today with Russ White. IPPSR extends its thanks to MSU University Communications, Producer Russ White of MSU Advancement Marketing and Communications, and all those who support the efforts necessary to make this production possible. Find IPPSR on social media @IPPSR on Twitter and Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) | Facebook on Facebook.
