Written by: Matt Grossmann
Primary Source : Michigan Policy Wonk Blog, April 11, 2016
Our weekly round-up of policy-relevant reads and IPPSR-connected research (inspired by John Kingdon (link is external)).
Problems:
- Flint, Detroit school crises stir fight over EM law (link is external). IPPSR addressed these issues in two recent forums, both available on video: Detroit Schools (link is external), Flint Water (link is external).
- Michigan’s Brand is Grit & Glory and Will Not Be Tainted by Bad Water (link is external). Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) graduate Daniel Cherrin weighs in.
- How many Michigan third-graders should flunk? (link is external) Bridge article mentions efforts of MPLP alum Rep. Amanda Price, R-Park Township.
Policy:
- IPPSR launches our database of MSU Policy Experts, including our new IPPSR Affiliated Faculty.
- Sun setting on the traditional neighborhood school. (link is external) IPPSR Faculty Affiliate Joshua Cowen adds insight into this trend.
- Think tank: Private investment needed to fill infrastructure spending gap locally, nationally (link is external). IPPSR Forum panelist Janice Beecher joins a Crain’s Detroit Business panel with comments about replacing Flint’s water service lines.
Politics:
- Donald Trump learned overt nativism from losing his first campaign to Pat Buchanan (link is external). IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann recalls Trump’s campaign for the Reform Party nomination.
- Profiles In Leadership -You’d Better Be Running (link is external). A commentary from MPLP graduate Mia McNeil in LinkedIn’s Pulse.
- Bernie Sanders cares passionately about trade. It’s not clear the people voting for him agree (link is external). Matt Grossmann on evidence that international trade did not drive support for Bernie Sanders in Michigan.
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Matt Grossmann serves as the Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and Associate Professor of Political Science at Michigan State University. His research spans national and state policymaking, election campaigns, interest groups, and political parties. His current work explores key differences between major political parties and economic inequality in policy influence. He is the author of Artists of the Possible: Governing Networks and American Policy Change Since 1945, published by Oxford University Press in 2014 and The Not-So-Special Interests: Interest Groups, Public Representation, and American Governance, published by Stanford University Press in 2012. He is author of numerous journal articles on such topics as policy change, political party networks, the legislative process and public opinion. His research appears in the Journal of Politics, Policy Studies Journal, Perspectives on Politics, American Politics Research and other publications. He also writes for blogs and popular media. His roots are also deep in practical politics, especially in candidate training, policy and survey research. His experience includes work at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government, the Institute of Governmental Studies, the Center for Voting and Democracy and the Center for Democracy and Technology. A member of MSU’s faculty since 2007, he is founder and director of the Michigan Policy Network and served as liaison to MSU’s Washington Semester Program. He received his bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College, his master’s in political science in 2002 and doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2007. He became IPPSR director in January 2016.

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