LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) -In 1916, a council of researchers was formed to analyze policy in the state of michigan to spur growth and understanding of how the state was functioning compared to others and what improvements could be made. For more than a century, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan has worked to help explain how the government operates.
Now marking its 110th anniversary, the nonprofit continues to serve as a resource for understanding the policies, finances, and structures that shape daily life across the state.
The council researches state and local government, including taxation, public spending, and how services are delivered. Its work includes tracking financial trends, examining how government is organized, studying major policy issues, and helping both public officials and residents better understand how decisions are made.
“Our mission statement is the same now as it was then, to provide information so that decision makers have good information to make good policy decisions,” said Eric Luper, the organization’s president.
That work focuses on adding context to complex issues by analyzing data over time and comparing Michigan to other states.
“Data in the abstract is just numbers,” Luper said. “But if we can apply some analysis, how it’s changed over time, how it compares to other places, that provides context for us to decide if there’s room for improvement.”
The organization does not lobby, endorse candidates, or take positions on ballot issues. Instead, it focuses on providing information that lawmakers, local governments, and residents can use in their own decision-making.
“We don’t overtly convey how we feel about issues,” Luper said. “We’re just trying to provide that information and tell the story that the information provides.”
The council’s research is used across Michigan, from the state Capitol to local governments and school districts. Its reports are also available to the public, offering residents another way to better understand the issues that may appear on their ballots.
As the state approaches future elections and policy debates, the organization continues its long-standing role of providing data and analysis to help inform those discussions.
