State of the State Podcast

msu-today-with-russ-white__msu-ippsr-state-of-the-st (1) by Matt Grossmann and Charles Ballard

msu-today-with-russ-white__state-of-the-state-podcas (4) by Matt Grossmann and Charles Ballard

The latest MSU IPPSR State of the State podcast examines the political and economic impact of tariffs

As President Trump gets ready to implement a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada, the State of the State podcast team sat down with Former Michigan Governor and US Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard to discuss the possible ramifications

MAPPR Grant recipient Stephanie Nawyn joins the State of the State team to discuss Christian attitudes toward immigration.

State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy. Gongwer News Service President for Michigan Operations Zach Gorchow joins the group to assess the homestretch of the 2024 general election.

This month, the group analyzes the impact of the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut. Then, Matt moves from the co-host microphone to the guest microphone to tell Arnold and Charley about his new book Polarized By Degrees, How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics.

Kyle Melinn is editor and co-owner of the Michigan Information and Research Service (MIRS). He joins Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld on this episode of the State of the State podcast to talk about the coming election, especially the recent primary in Michigan and how the upcoming general election may shake out in terms of control of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Matt Grossmann, Charley Ballard, and Arnold Weinfeld from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research talk politics and the economy. Show Notes On this month's State of the State Podcast, Institute for Public Policy and Social Research Assistant Director Arnold Weinfeld, along with Institute Director, Dr. Matt Grossmann and Economist Dr. Charles Ballard discuss the current state of the economy including the impact of the continued rates hikes by the Federal Reserve on the economy and the upcoming election. The guest this month is Dr. Debra Horner, with the University of Michigan Ford School's Center for Local, State and Urban Policy where she serves as senior program manager on the Michigan Public Policy Survey program. The program surveys local government officials across the state of Michigan and just released findings on the attitudes of local election officials when it comes to confidence in election security. This podcast comes to you from the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and WKAR.”

MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) Director Matt Grossmann, Professor Emeritus of Economics Charley Ballard, and IPPSR associate director Arnold Weinfeld break down the results and implications of the 2022 midterm election. Show Notes The trio talks about how the new maps from the redistricting process “significantly” impacted the results. And they talk about the issues that motivated voters most. They look ahead to 2023 in the Michigan Legislature and to the already-underway 2024 presidential election. The group reflects on whether President Biden will and should run for re-election in 2024. Ballard looks ahead to the prospects for Michigan's economy in 2023, and the group discusses Governor Whitmer's potential national political future. Conversation highlights: 1:18 – “The national House popular vote moved from about three percentage points in favor of Democrats to about three percentage points in favor of Republicans, which is a little less than normal for a midterm election.” 6:24 – “Certainly abortion is the top candidate for why Michigan performed differently than other states.” 7:43 – “Wherever abortion was on the ballot, Democrats did well.” 8:59 – “The economy is not in great shape, but are we in a recession? No. We are definitely not in a recession. Could we be in a recession six months from now? Maybe. I think avoiding a recession is a little bit less than 50/50, but it's not zero.” 13:11 – “Candidates endorsed by Donald Trump performed about six points worse in House and Senate elections where he endorsed less experienced and more extreme candidates, and he made the election less of a referendum on President Biden and more of a choice between Biden-preferred and Trump-preferred candidates. That does seem to have made a difference. Trump endorsed a lot of people in winnable seats who lost.” 22:01 – “You can't beat somebody with nobody. There would have to be consolidation around an alternative, and the same people who don't want Joe Biden to be the nominee don't necessarily want Kamala Harris to be the nominee, who would be the most likely alternative. We might wish for different, but we still might see Biden vs. Trump again.” 23:05 – “Certainly a Midwest governor winning by a large amount who already had some national profile is going to continue to be mentioned regularly. And she has an argument.” 24:35 – “We were the strongest economy in the world in the middle decades of the 20th Century. Then with the decline of manufacturing in general and autos in particular, we have struggled for decades.” 30:14 – “On average across the states, if you look at the ideal party position of the Republican Party versus the ideal position of the Democratic Party, we expect each year of full control by one party to move the state policy about one percent in their direction.” MSU Today airs Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 5 a.m. on WKAR News/Talk and Sundays at 8 p.m. on 760 WJR. Find “MSU Today with Russ White” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) Director Matt Grossmann, Professor Emeritus of Economics Charley Ballard, and IPPSR Associate Director Arnold Weinfeld analyze the latest in Michigan politics and economics. Show Notes Topics in this episode of the State of the State podcast include negotiations around raising the debt ceiling and Governor Whitmer's State of the State address. Conversation Highlights: (2:17) – “Best case scenario, there is a lot of drama and a lot of headlines and eventually we raise the debt ceiling. Worst case scenario, and we came close to a default in 2011, defaulting on our treasury obligations would be catastrophic for the world economy.” (4:42) – “Most analysts believe that in 2023 either we will have a soft landing – meaning very slow growth but no actual recession – or a softish landing, meaning a mild recession. Right now, no one is predicting a deep recession.” (5:47) – “There have been some very highly-publicized layoffs in the tech sector. On the other hand, Taco Bell is looking to hire 25,000 workers and Chipotle is looking to hire 15,000.” (8:15) – Social Security is wildly popular. Any member of Congress who votes to rip up Social Security should be getting ready to sell their house in January of 2025.” (15:24) – “A lot of it was the same things that were proposed in the campaign and last year. But now anyone who hears them thinks they have a chance of being enacted because there's a Democratic legislature for the first time in 40 years. You have unified government and a lot of money.” (17:15) – “It is kind of amusing that one of the first big acts of a new Democratic legislature is likely to be letting an across-the-board income tax decline to go through.” (20:35) – “Citizenship doesn't end when you retire.” (22:50) – “The research is relatively consistent and finds business tax incentives do not result in major increases in business income or any other outcome that states might be looking for, even accounting for the fact that other states would do it.” (25:10) – “Historically, most laws still pass with bipartisan support. It's much more dependent on the state of the economy and the budget than it is on state partisanship.” (27:22) – Even after all the shrinkage of the automotive sector, Michigan is still more heavily dependent on durable goods and manufacturing than the average state. That means bigger ups and downs for the economy because you can put off buying a car, but you can't put off buying groceries.” Listen to MSU Today with Russ White on the radio and on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

This month's State of the State podcast conversation from Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research focuses on the debt limit. Matt Grossmann, Charley Ballard, and Arnold Weinfeld welcome associate professor of economics Antonio Doblas Madrid to the discussion. Conversation Highlights: (1:46) – “The Federal Reserve has been trying for more than a year to slow things down. They've had some success. Inflation is not where it was several months ago, but it's still above their target. There are a lot of indications that the economy is growing more slowly than it was a year ago, but it's still growing.” (3:36) – “We're still at a pretty high level of resources. Compared to the last few years, there is a lot of money and a lot of people asking for that money. The good news about being in the majority during this kind of time is that you can say yes to a lot more people, and that's usually good for you politically. The bad news is if you say yes with temporary money on a permanent basis, then a few years down the line you have to say no a whole lot more and it can be pretty bad.” (4:45) – “Surpluses tend to disappear.” (6:45) – “The United States is one of a group of privileged countries that has always had healthy enough finances that it has never defaulted on its debt. And the U.S. dollar is the world's reserve currency. It's shocking that this debt ceiling situation that keeps coming up over and over threatens to engineer a self-inflicted financial crisis.” (7:45) – “The debt ceiling is a historical oddity of the United States.” (9:30) – “The U.S. dollar and U.S. government debt are considered the safest financial assets. It would be similar to the ground shaking.” (11:26) – “The U.S. Treasury is a whole lot bigger than Lehman Brothers.” (16:34) – “Most countries when they have a default it's followed by a pretty deep downturn of economic activity.” (17:06) – “These are good reasons why policy makers have strong incentives to avoid the default, but that doesn't mean that you don't gain strategically from having the leverage that you have to force your opponents to the table.” (20:55) – “The story was a little bit different in 2010 when Democrats had a big majority and could have gotten rid of the debt limit or extended it. And then there was a sentiment that if Republicans are going to be in charge, they should have ownership of the debt limit. And that was kind of the old politics of the debt limit. ‘I don't want to vote for it when I'm in the minority so that the other side gets the blame raising the debt limit' even though it has nothing to do with actually increasing spending. And that was catastrophically dumb.” (21:56) – “None of us is saying the debt should be allowed to grow without any proportion to the country's ability to repay.” (22:57) – “These are debts for expenditures that were already approved years ago and money that has already been spent. These are bills that are due now and not paying them is literally bankrupting the country.” (30:22) – “There's not a lot of time unfortunately. The extraordinary measures that Treasury has been taking since 1985 have become par for the course.” (32:00) – “This is an occasion where Democrats and Republicans have to pass something together.” Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

This month's State of the State podcast from Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research has Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from the institute and emeritus economics professor Charley Ballard discussing the state of the national and Michigan economies, UAW contract talks with the Big 3 automakers, the impact of unions in today's America, Michigan's new state budget, population loss, and the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Conversation Highlights: (1:25) – “The economy continues to roll along. Whereas a few months ago I would have said a mild recession is more likely than not. Right now, I would say it's more likely than not that we kind of skirt the edges of a recession.” (5:57) – “People are still pretty dour about the economy…” (10:11) – “A part of it is that our economy is doing pretty well. And that means revenue is coming in reasonably well. That's the remarkable resilience of the American economy.” (11:29) “There is an effect of full Democratic control on state spending, but it's actually a lot smaller than you might expect and much smaller than the year-to-year differences due to the overall state of the economy and share of federal money that gets sent.” (12:09) – “The actual effect is more often the reverse. The more that state governments are able to pass legislation and move the agenda in their direction, the more likely that in the next election they will lose ground rather than gain ground.” (14:27) – “Many prognosticators on the national scene have listed Gretchen Whitmer as a potential presidential candidate, and I'm pretty sure she's aware of that.” (15:17) – “In policy, this has been a very large shift on the scale of state government year-to-year shifts. That is what you'd expect after a prolonged period of lack of control from a party.” (16:35) – “Michigan is three percent of the national population and two and a half percent of the national economy. We're in this little life raft floating upon a gigantic ocean of the worldwide economy. And if those waves are big, they're going to affect our boat.” (18:55) – “The population of Michigan hasn't been dropping steadily in this century, it's just been astonishingly flat.” (21:03) – “The overall picture is actually we don't have a higher rate of college graduates leaving the state. After graduating, what we have is a lower rate of college graduates from elsewhere deciding to move into the state. And that is part of a broader pattern where our issues are not as much from the perspective of young people moving away as we hear in the political debate as we have young people not being attracted to Michigan to move from elsewhere.” (25:20) – “For one thing, the Supreme Court was more in line with public opinion this term than they were the previous term.” (27:50) – “Some universities have abandoned legacy admissions. That might, I think in the long run, have more of an effect.” Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) discuss the latest in Michigan and national politics, policy, and the economy on the State of the State podcast, a monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan. Peter Berg joins the conversation to talk about the UAW strike and its implications moving forward. Berg is a professor of employment relations and director of the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at MSU. Conversation Highlights: (1:12) – “We don't have a real working majority in the House of Representatives.” (3:11) – “They have a very small majority. And anytime you have a small majority, you have a few members who can make a difference. And now that we've proven that a few members can take down the speaker, that incentivizes everyone else who has an agenda to step forward and disrupt the process.” (7:57) – “A lot has already been done. This will be right up there with the most changes from the right to the left of any state legislative session of the last 50 years.” (10:54) – “The vast majority of the folks who are here now, when given the theoretical opportunity to the leave for California or Texas or Chicago, want to stay in Michigan.” (13:05) – “It is certainly true that young people are more liberal on social issues, but if you ask someone if this is going to make them stay in the state, it's easy to say yes, this policy makes a difference to me. If you look at the 50-state data and try to associate any set of policy changes with actual migration from state to state, you find zilch, no relation whatsoever between policy of any kind and which way people are moving.” (16:42) – “We're closer to the end than the beginning, but it's really hard to predict how long this will go on.” (18:07) – “This targeted strike across the three companies was a new approach. I think it's been effective.” (20:09) – “The UAW is trying to raise the floor. And they're trying to extend their reach within the future EV industry world.” (21:17) – “The UAW needs to transition from this heavy adversarial approach to now that we're in this, how are we going to work together to achieve those efficiencies so that we all survive? Because the threat is that EV employment is going to be less than internal combustion employment. And that means fewer UAW members. So, great we won all these big increases, but the long term may see membership decline if they don't come together and work together after this agreement to find a way to make the industry successful for everyone.” (24:24) – “We're seeing a lot of labor activism. We're seeing more strike action because workers right now are in a position of power and they're exercising that.” (27:31) – “The view of unions as fighting for social justice and civil rights is the view of a lot of young people…there is a sense that the public is seeing unions differently, and whether that leads to change in some way or more interest in voting for a union and for density numbers to really move, we'd need a change in labor law.” Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Matt Grossmann, Charley Ballard, and host Arnold Weinfeld discuss Michigan and national politics, policy, and the economy on the monthly State of the State podcast from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). The trio's guest this month is Nick Pigeon, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. It's a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that seeks to shine the brightest light possible on the role of money in Michigan politics. Conversation Highlights: (1:07) – Why did the Michigan Legislature break early? (3:19) – What are the implications if the Legislature extends their break into the spring? (4:28) – Do you think we'll see renewed calls for a part time legislature? (5:21) – What's the state of the economy? “It's been resilient, worker productivity is growing, and gasoline prices are way down.” (9:45) – What about Michigan's economy in the next six months to a year? (11:52) – How does Michigan's economy compare to other states you've visited recently? (14:32) – If you were President Biden's political consultant, what would you tell him? (15:37) – All about the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and their perspective on the recently passed financial disclosure legislation. (22:59) – Will the new legislation have a positive impact? (25:42) – What about FOIA, the Freedom of Information Act, for legislators? (27:22) – “The dream that transparency was going to lead to a more satisfied public has come and gone.” Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld discuss Michigan and national politics, policy, and the economy on the monthly State of the State podcast from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). The podcast is a monthly round up of policy and research for Michigan. Tony Daunt is executive director of FAIR Maps Michigan. He joins the conversation to discuss the redistricting process in Michigan, the current remapping process, and what brought us to this point. Conversation Highlights: (0:32) – What's the latest in national politics and the presidential race? (5:58) – An assessment of proposals in Governor Whitmer's State of the State address and the state of politics and policy in Michigan. “This last year was one of the most productive and ideological movements of public policy that we've seen across any state for, like, 50 years. This was an extraordinary move leftward that they accomplished in the first year, and they're set up to try to do a lot more.” (9:27) – Economic development, R & D tax credit, and population growth – “The business location packages really don't impact business decisions. People make business location decisions and then rack up the tax credits.” (14:27) – Daunt joins the conversation to talk about the remapping process. (19:50) – What would you rather have seen from the beginning of the redistricting process? (23:12) – How is the redraw going so far? (25:36) – What is the role of FAIR Maps Michigan? And what are some of your suggestions moving forward? Where is this headed? (31:22) – “The commission has been rather defiant about the lawsuit, and I would encourage everyone to see this as an opportunity to correct, by all accounts, the biggest defect in the process. The public remains supportive of the changes, especially the changes to the partisan composition of the relationship between districts and statewide votes. This was the primary citizen concern expressed quite loudly and clearly. But that was ignored by the commission. So rather than see it as a burden imposed by the courts, I would encourage them to see it as a second chance to correct the biggest defect in the process.”

Matt Grossmann, Charley Ballard, and Arnold Weinfeld discuss Michigan and national politics, policy, and the economy on the monthly State of the State podcast from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). The podcast is a monthly round up of policy and research for Michigan. Nura Sediqe is an assistant professor of American politics and public policy at MSU. The group discusses Sediqe's work in political behavior, race, and ethnic politics, especially as it pertains to Muslim Americans. Conversation Highlights: (0:44) – Charley, how's the economy doing? (5:24) – Matt, how do you see the economy playing a role in the campaign season? (8:17) – Why do you think some minority voters are moving to the right? (12:54) – Where are we on redistricting and the redrawn map? (15:14) – What's the state of Michigan's economy? (17:35) – Nura joins the conversation with an overview of her research. (18:56) – Talk about the growth of the Arab and Muslim population in Michigan that is increasingly flexing its political muscle. (27:23) – How will the conflict in Gaza impact voter preferences? (29:59) – Michigan has a large population that is Arab but not Muslim. How is that factoring in? (31:40) – Tell us about your book in development. Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Matt Grossmann, Charley Ballard, and Arnold Weinfeld from Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) discuss the latest in Michigan and national politics, policy, and the economy on the State of the State podcast, a monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan. Peter Berg joins the conversation to talk about the UAW's recent victory in unionizing a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee and its implications moving forward. Berg is a professor of employment relations and director of the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at MSU. Conversation Highlights: (0:50) – Ballard on the state of the national economy. (4:29) – Ballard on the state of the Michigan economy. (6:31) – Michigan is 39th in per capita personal income in the United States. (9:41) – Grossmann on the latest in politics and how the perception of the health of the economy doesn't match the perception for many. (12:55) – What impact will the campus protests have on the election? (15:16) – How will Gaza impact younger voters? (17:11) – What factor will the UAW play in domestic politics and this election? (19:09) – What is the diploma divide? (21:20) – What is the impact of the UAW's recent win at Volkswagen? (23:25) – Will Shawn Fain and the UAW be a political force for President Biden in the election? (25:24) – What are the UAW's next targets? (27:22) – Do you see the UAW win leading to more unionization in other industries? (29:20) – Is the National Labor Relations Board's legitimacy being questioned? Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

State of the State is the monthly roundup of policy and research for the state of Michigan from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). Arnold Weinfeld is the associate director for the institute. Charley Ballard is an economist at MSU. This month's guest is Kimberly Dodd, a veterinarian and virologist with extensive expertise in emerging infectious diseases. She is currently the director of the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, or VDL, one of the country's premier veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Pending board approval, Dodd has been recommended to serve as the new dean of Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, effective Aug. 1. Weinfeld, Ballard, and Dodd discuss the recent news of bird flu in Michigan.

“On this month's State of the State Podcast, Institute for Public Policy and Social Research Assistant Director Arnold Weinfeld, along with MSU Economist Dr. Charles Ballard discuss the current state of the economy including the factors impacting inflation and what does or does not constitute a recession. The guest this month is Dr. Johannes Bauer, Director of the Quello Center at Michigan State University discussing the new “MOON-Light” project. Spearheaded by MSU and funded by a $10.5 million federal Broadband Infrastructure Program grant through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Michigan Open Optical Network – Leveraging Innovation to Get High-Speed Technology (MOON-Light) will lead to equal and open access to broadband services to all Michiganders and can be leveraged to deliver education, healthcare, and employment services. This podcast comes to you from the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, and WKAR.”

Challenges are underway on declared candidates for Michigan's gubernatorial race. Michigan's governor and Legislature are debating how to budget $5 billion in revenues and a new ballot proposal makes changes to Michigan's toughest-in-the-nation term limits. This State of the State Podcast features host Arnold Weinfeld, associate director of Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, MSU Economist Charles Ballard and guest Rich Studley. Studley is retired Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO and now a leader of a bipartisan effort to update term limits and to call for the state's first constitutionally mandated legislative financial disclosure.

From a policy perspective, who do we trust and why? When we think about COVID, in the U.S. and Great Britain, among those we trust, doctors, scientists and media were at the top of our lists of the most trusted sources of information. But why would we trust those sources the most? Michigan State University assistant professor Dr. Joseph Hamm, of the university's School of Criminal Justice explores key insights from his research rooted in extensive focus group conversations and national surveys in two countries. He shares new transatlantic research results -- published by the British Academy -- with podcasters Dr. Matt Grossmann, Arnold Weinfeld and Dr. Charles Ballard from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Find the research report at https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/the-british-academy-publishes-studies-examining-covid-vaccine-engagement-in-uk-and-usa/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=announcement

Michigan is a welcoming state where the state's refugee resettlement leaders work with local government and nonprofit agencies to integrate newly arriving families and individuals. The March 2022 edition of Michigan State University's State of the State Podcast is produced by MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). It welcomes regulars -- Host Arnold Weinfeld, associate IPPSR director. IPPSR Director Dr. Matt Grossmann and MSU Economist Charles Ballard. The edition's guest is Ben Cabanaw, Michigan state refugee coordinator working in the state's Office of Global Michigan in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). He's helping to coordinate the state's resettlement of refugees from around the world, most recently from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

All eyes will stay 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, projects Charles Ballard, MSU economist and a member of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) podcast team. He joined IPPSR Director Dr. Matt Grossmann and host Associate IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld in the monthly broadcast produced by IPPSR and WKAR, MSU's public media. 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. Podcasts also cast their eyes on inflation, it's effect on national and statewide election races, tax cuts and Michigan's latest outlook measured in the State of the State Survey. They're sour on the economy, their own pocketbook, that of their community and that of Biden and his Build Back Better infrastructure initiative when it's associated with his name. They do like the initiative's components and remain positive about Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as she seeks re-election in November 2022.

Tax cut fever is raging around the country as inflation rises and mid-term election strategies are heating up. In the first State of the State Podcast of 2022, podcasters from Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research talk taxes, the economy, the elections near term, mid-term and long-term. What to watch for in the near term: • Surveys showing Michigan citizens and policy insiders believe that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should win re-election. But beware, the out of power party typically emerges as a winner in mid-term elections. • New General Motors Corp. investments in Michigan, the choice between short-term tax cuts and investment in long-term state needs, long-term concerns about the viral pandemic COVID-19. • Calls for greater transparency in Michigan campaign finance reporting requirements. On the show: Host Arnold Weinfeld, associate director of Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research; IPPSR Director Dr. Matt Grossmann; Emeritus Economist Dr. Charles Ballard and guest Simon Schuster, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

As 2021 comes to a close, the IPPSR State of the State Podcasters ask whether tragic shootings of schoolchildren will lead to new gun laws and how abortion questions before the U.S. Supreme Court will play out in Michigan and the country. How do these issues mesh with COVID-19 variants, inflation, the job market, labor market and the economy overall? They're joined by MSU Foundation Professor Peter Savrolainen, a sociomobility leader, who describes MSU's campus as an ideal location to test autonomous buses like the one rolled out this past November. It should be on the road in 2022. See: https://mobility.msu.edu/

The economy and elections intertwine in this Institute for Public Policy and Social Research State of the State Podcast from Michigan State University. Our podcasters come from the university's top minds on elections, redistricting and the economy -- Economist Dr. Jon Eguia, IPPSR Director Dr. Matt Grossmann, Economist Dr. Charles Ballard with host Arnold Weinfeld, associate IPPSR director. What's ahead with the economy, the mid-term elections and Michigan's redistricting?

The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research podcasters ask about supply chain, economic, election and racial issues. Will supply chain issues dampen holiday hopes? Is long-term inflation on the horizon? How polarized is our state and country over the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion? New research offers new insights.

Redistricting, the prospects of inflation and the grand opening of a unique building supporting STEM education -- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics -- at Michigan State University. Our State of the State Podcast features IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann, Associate IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld, Economics Professor Emeritus Charles Ballard and guest Sandra Lupien, director of MassTimber at MSU. MassTimber is beautiful, lightweight, sustainable and links our natural environment to the developments of urban and rural communities. Learn more here!

How soon will we see economic effects from COVID's Delta Variant? What effect will a slowing population -- as told in the U.S. Census -- have on Michigan's economy? It's all in the latest State of the State Podcast from the Institute of Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University. Podcasting: IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann, Associate IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld, Emeritus State of the State Director Charles Ballard and Dr. Monique Turner, MSU communication professor and department chair.

This issue of Michigan State University's State of the State Podcast warns consumers about the hazards of global counterfeiting -- especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Michigan's awash in a budget surplus, reopening post-pandemic and finding politics somewhat boring in the new administration of President Joe Biden.

State of the State Podcasters Dr. Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld take to the air to talk loosening of COVID-19 restrictions, potential return to "normalcy" following the pandemic, COVID recovery and infrastructure investment, and the state's new voting district maps. Their guest is Suann Hammersmith, executive director of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The commission is charged with drawing new congressional and legislative voting lines on the basis of the latest U.S. Census. The state of the State Podcast is a production of Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at ippsr.msu.edu.

In the age of pandemic, IPPSR's fully vaccinated podcasters discuss vaccines, their effect on the economy and politics and how speedily misinformation and disinformation can be injected into social media. This month's lineup: Host Arnold Weinfeld, associate director of Michigan State University Institute for Public Policy and Social Research; IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann, professor of political science; Charles Ballard, MSU professor of economics, and Dustin Carnahan, assistant professor, MSU Department of Communications.

Redistricting, stimulus checks and an improving economy appear on their way to the state of Michigan and its local governments. Michigan State University's State of the State podcast cues up this month with analysis from IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann, Associate IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld, MSU Economics Professor Charles Ballard and podcast guest Economist Mary Schulz, associate director of the Center for Local Government Finance and Policy in MSU Extension.

Nearly a year into the pandemic coronavirus of 2020, Michigan State University's State of the State Podcasters tackle insights into the Influenza of 1918 and its parallels to current times. If we fail to learn from of lessons of the past, we are surely bound to see it repeated in our future, the broadcasters caution. Yet, we see citizens lining up for vaccines and a brightening economy ahead. From the university's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, a hub for policy, leadership, research.

This post-election IPPSR Podcast explores Election2020. Did President Donald Trump and President-Elect Joe Biden have coattails? How will the economy fare as the pandemic coronavirus continues to flare? IPPSR Podcast November stars Director Matt Grossmann, State of the State Survey Director Charles Ballard and Associate IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld.

It's the Election 2020 edition of Michigan State University's State of the State Podcast. Listen in to IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann to find out which party appears to be ahead in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 vote. Review the nation and Michigan's economy with State of the State Survey Director Charles Ballard. Then learn how to play Election Madness with MSU Political Scientist Eric Juenke.

If it's September, there are only weeks left until the 2020 Presidential Election. Listen in to MSU Economist Charles Ballard talk about the economy and the election during the pandemic coronavirus. Then Michigan Political Leadership Program Co-Directors Susy Avery and Steve Tobocman talk about how preparation for public service can change your life.

Who's winning -- Trump or Biden -- in Michigan? Where's the economy -- in Michigan and the nation -- headed? Will we -- healthcare and patients -- overcome the pandemic coronavirus? Plus a groundbreaking new study that shows a racial wage gap especially in the Great Lakes Region and Michigan. Two Michigan State University economists, a political scientist and a workforce and economic development specialist discuss all in the State of the State Podcast from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.

In this time of uncertainty and coronavirus challenge, high speed internet boosts educational opportunity for K-12 learners. It also poses economic challenges. Researchers from the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and Education Policy Innovation Collaborative at Michigan State University ponder greater needs as COVID-19 sends teachers and students to distance learning and those who can to work from home.

Critical conversations here on COVID-19 and its effect on Michigan and the nation's elections, its candidates, economy and K12 education. From the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research -- focusing on policy education, political leadership and survey research -- in the College of Social Science at Michigan State University.

Michigan State University State of the State podcaster hosts talk the state's presidential primary elections, the economy and all in the light of the coronavirus and COVID19. With the economy challenged by pandemic, the nation has entered a recession, says MSU economist Charles Ballard.

The Michigan State University State of the State podcasters crisscross the state's issues in this edition, Their travel through the issues leads from the state's upcoming March 10 primary -- and the presidential candidates -- to clean water issues and efforts to repair the state's roads. One forecast: A Goldman Sachs announcement to be on guard for a stock market correction and the coronavirus. Taxes are on the agenda. Finally, the podcast welcomes a report concluding that a new effort to improve the state's lowest-performing schools show modest but positive results and researchers are looking ahead to an 18-month checkup.

All about consumer confidence, how much we trust government and how we rate Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. President Donald Trump are featured in this State of the State Podcast. The monthly Institute for Public Policy and Social Research podcast tracks down research from its State of the State Survey and other advancements. The Institute, known as IPPSR, is at home at Michigan State University in the College of Social Science and focuses on policy education, leadership training and survey research -- a synergistic combination. IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann, MSU Economist Charles Ballard, director of IPPSR's State of the State Survey, and IPPSR Associate Director Arnold Weinfeld tackle key topics as the 2020 election season begins.

In this, the last State of the State Podcast of 2019, podcasters talk about legislative initiatives before and after 2020, the flat-but-hopeful economy and the effects of nonprofit philanthropy on governing financially strapped communities. The monthly Institute for Public Policy and Social Research podcast tracks down research from its State of the State Survey and other advancements. The Institute, known as IPPSR, is at home at Michigan State University in the College of Social Science and focuses on policy education, leadership training and survey research -- a synergistic combination. Our hosts: IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann, State of the State Survey Director Charles Ballard with regular appearances by IPPSR Associate Director Arnold Weinfeld and this month's special guest Sarah Reckhow, associate professor of political science at MSU.

Every month, the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research tracks down research from its State of the State Survey and other advancements to illuminate in this recorded podcast. The Institute, known as IPPSR, is at home at Michigan State University in the College of Social Science and focuses on policy education, leadership training and survey research -- a synergistic combination. Our hosts: IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann and State of the State Survey Director Charles Ballard with regular appearances by IPPSR Associate Director Arnold Weinfeld.

Where are the substitute teachers in Michigan? Do new laws prevent retirees from returning to the classrooms to fill temporary vacancies? Or is it a lack of supply in response to demand? New Michigan State University research from Nathan Burroughs, Ph.D., senior research associate in the College of Education, outlines the need. He's joined by podcast regulars Arnold Weinfeld, associate IPPSR director, and Charles Ballard, director of IPPSR's State of the State Survey. And with them is IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann returning from sabbatical.

It's the back-to-school issue! Bethany Wilinski, MSU assistant professor of teacher education, joins State of the State Podcast hosts Arnold Weinfeld, associate IPPSR director, and economist Charles Ballard, State of the State Survey Director. She shares joint research into pre-K teaching and what teachers of our youngest learners need for on-the-job satisfaction. Weinfeld and Ballard review the economy. Recession signs ahead?

It's all about politics, tariffs and the popular vote -- read that as redistricting -- in this edition of the State of the State Podcast distributed by Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. IPPSR's three podcasters this month are Interim Director Arnold Weinfeld, economist Charles Ballard and political scientist Corwin Smidt.

Battling the Opioid Epidemic by Matt Grossmann and Charles Ballard

Making the move to AVs -- autonomous vehicles -- will have its challenges, but promises expanded mobility and new opportunities. Michigan State University is mastering mobility on campus and beyond as new research explores what technology-driven vehicles can do for older adults and moving goods and services. On the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research broadcast: mobility researcher Shelia Cotten, MSU foundation professor in the Department of Media and Information, economist Charles Ballard and interim IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld.