Ann Arbor Times

Despite some improvement since the COVID-19 pandemic, over half of Michigan's local officials believe the state is on the wrong track. These findings come from the latest Michigan Public Policy Survey by the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy.

The survey data for 2025 indicates that 51% of local officials feel dissatisfied with the state's direction. This marks a decrease from a high of 67% in 2021 and 59% in 2023. However, current levels of pessimism are still higher than pre-COVID times when only about 30-35% expressed similar concerns.

Approximately 32% of officials think Michigan is heading in the right direction, an increase from previous years' figures. Meanwhile, uncertainty has grown to 17%, up from 11% two years ago.

According to Debra Horner, senior program manager of the survey, the questionnaire does not define "wrong track" or "right direction," leaving it open to interpretation as seen in many opinion polls.

Partisan lines heavily influence responses. Two-thirds of respondents identify as Republicans, while independents and Democrats make up 17% and 21%, respectively. Horner notes that views on state direction correlate strongly with party affiliation and control over the governor's office. "Republican local leaders generally express more optimism when a Republican is governor," she said.

The survey also highlighted that changes following the State House elections in 2024 might have affected Republican leaders' outlooks slightly.

Conducted between April 7 and June 12, this survey included officials from various jurisdictions across Michigan, achieving a response rate of 72%.