Center for Michigan Progress Report - January 2010

PURPOSES OF MDM Citizen Engagement : Thousands of diverse, statewide residents learning about and discussing Michigan’s challenges & opportunities. “Common Ground” Agenda Setting : Electronic voting and deliberation results in a far- reaching, “common ground” public agenda for a more prosperous Michigan. Action : Citizens and emerging leaders take action. We disseminate citizen toolkits and quality of life scorecards and Amplify the “common ground” agenda thru conferences, legislative breakfasts, candidate forums and TV debates.

WHO’S INVOLVED Run by nonprofit, non-partisan Center for Michigan. Launched by 100 diverse “founding champion” leaders. Funded by two dozen Michigan foundations and corporations. Staffed by diverse regional conveners.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE 10,000 “Community Conversation” participants statewide (20 people at a time. Representative of all of Michigan). 9,200 “Fresh Thoughts” newsletter subscribers receive weekly news about economic development, education, reforms, and success stories that come from tipsters in Community Conversations. 100 candidate meetings for 2008 state House elections. 65,000 viewers for televised state House debates in ,000 Michigan quality of life scorecards & citizen toolkits distributed statewide. 14,000 citizen photos collected in EnvisionMichigan contest. Regular breakfasts and town hall policy forums for citizens and leaders alike in Lansing. Topics: budget & tax reform, education & talent, corrections reform, local government cooperation, young professionals.

Community Conversation Participants’ Preliminary Priorities for Michigan’s Future: 1. Economic Development & Diversification 2. Pre-K-16 Education 3. Clear Taxing & Spending Priorities 4. Accountable & Bipartisan Leadership

Some of Community Conversation Participants’ Preliminary “Common Ground” Action Steps: Extend or repeal term limits. Business tax reform. Link education to jobs of the future. Gov’t collaboration & service sharing Education reform – funding, accountability, and curriculum.

INSPIRING CHANGE: $30 million in state prison budget savings acquired through citizen action and reform coalitions inspired by Community Conversations. Michigan’s shrinking school year reformed and lengthened after Center for Michigan report inspired by Community Conversations. Community Conversations inspired formation of first-ever “bipartisan caucus” in MI House of Representatives.

ON TAP FOR year goal of 10,000 Community Conversation participants achieved just this week! Final “Common Ground Citizens Agenda” report published and distributed to all participants, community leaders, and political candidates in spring Six candidates for governor have inquired about the conclusions of Community Conversation participants. Great Debates 2010 – More than three dozen statewide TV debates for legislature and governor planned for public TV broadcast this fall. Additional public engagement activities – candidate meetings, online citizen petitions & a “Truth Squad” to police negative and inaccurate campaign ads.

CENTER FOR MICHIGAN BEYOND 2010 Three long-term missions for an enduring, differentiated, civic-driven, non-profit institution: Engage. Continue to recruit and inspire statewide residents to the tough tasks of citizenship. Report. Launch and grow publications to fill the void left by the ever-declining coverage of state and local government by traditional media. Continue to probe and promote citizen values of economic diversification, quality of life, education, and government accountability. Convene. Provide common ground space and discussion for citizens, interest groups, and elected leaders of both parties to brainstorm long-term policy solutions and move Michigan aggressively toward a prosperous future.

THANK YOU! Contact us with questions or feedback at or