Podcast appearances and mentions of Charles Ballard

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 State of the State podcast from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) is a monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan hosted by institute director Matt Grossmann, associate director Arnold Weinfeld, and economist Charles Ballard. 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. Conversation Highlights: (0:51) – What are your thoughts on the “complete pivot” that is the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates this week? (4:11) – What does the interest rate cut mean for the average American? – “It depends upon who you are.” (6:49) – What are the political implications of the interest rate cut? (8:55) – To what degree is the state of the economy a campaign issue? (10:21) – What are your thoughts on how the election is playing out with just a few weeks to go? – “It's very close to 50/50.” (11:56) – How is the Michigan economy doing, and to what degree is it a factor in Michigan's election? – “The Michigan economy has been facing headwinds since the 1970s.” (15:13) – Matt, what is the main takeaway from Polarized by Degrees? (18:08) – How many times in history have we seen this kind of shift between the two parties? (22:43) – What factor does race play in American politics today? (26:58) – What does this all mean for the future? 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 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.”

Amusement taxes are common way for cities to capture revenue from sporting events, but not in Michigan. Could a new tax provide much-needed funding for city services? Eric Lupher, Robin Boyle and Charles Ballard join Stephen to discuss the renewed push for implementing amusement taxes in Detroit.

This podcast is sponsored in part by EPIC-MRA Opinion Research This week: Economist Dr. Charles Ballard on twin challenges – the UAW Strike and pending U.S. government shutdown Michigan's economy is staring down the business end of a double-barrelled shotgun: the UAW strike which is causing huge losses for the state's signature industry, and a looming shutdown of the federal government. We take a deep dive into the political and economic impact on Michigan with our guest, senior economist Dr. Charles Ballard. Also this week: Donald Trump is coming to Michigan to pretend he supports unions at an event scheduled to compete with the Fox TV reality show “Republicans Who Won't Be President,” a.k.a. The 2nd GOP presidential debate… One of those master debaters, Senator Tim Scott, says the way to handle a strike is fire the strikers, a sign that he's not looking for any union endorsements… Convicted bribe recipient and former state House Speaker Rick Johnson accepted in-kind services in lieu of cash… and,  The upcoming state GOP leadership conference is missing one thing: GOP leaders =========================== EPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management ===========================

eCommerce is growing in Kenya. Currently, 42% of the country's population has access to the internet, but according to Statsita Market Forecast, this is projected to grow to almost 60% by 2026. Pan-African technology group, Jumia is at the forefront of how increased access is reshaping consumer behaviour in rural Kenya and Business Day TV spoke to the firm's CEO Charles Ballard for more insight.

Retired Michigan State University economics professor Charles Ballard joins the show to discuss what our tight labor market means for us all. Then, Anika Goss of Detroit Future City discusses a new report on where people should be looking to get the best jobs in Detroit and its suburbs.

Did pandemic school shutdowns put Michigan's students behind? If so, are our children catching back up? This month, Matt Grossmann, Arnold Weinfeld, and Charles Ballard from MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research try to get to the bottom of those questions with Tara Kilbride, assistant director for research at the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) at MSU. EPIC has just released a new report covering that topic which can be found on their website www.EpicedPolicy.org In the first half of the conversation, our podcasters discuss and make a few predictions about the upcoming November elections.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.

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.”

“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.”

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

“It's rightfully been on everyone's minds,” said Ben Cabanaw, state refugee coordinator in the state's Office of Global Michigan, and special guest during the Institute's monthly broadcast. “There's a lot of details still not known as this time.”Estimates are that more than 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine in the wake of Russia's attack on its neighboring country.This month's podcast features Host Arnold Weinfeld, IPPSR associate director, IPPSR Director Dr. Matt Grossmann and MSU economist Charles Ballard. Podcasts predicted the conflict in Ukraine will likely have lingering economic effects and traced legal questions about redistricting as statewide candidates file for 2022 elections.“We can always find that Michigan is quite connected to events that occur all over the world,” Grossmann said.Michigan is a welcoming state, Cabanaw said, and his office within the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity works with local health, education and nonprofit agencies to resettle refugees into new housing, schools, and employment.Between last fall and this spring, his office helped Michigan to welcome about 1,800 refugees from Afghanistan and provides ongoing support services to about 3,000 people each year, he said. Public and media interest ebbs and flows with each international crisis posing, a challenge for continuing refugee support, Cabanaw said. “We try to use this moment to educate and advocate. Michigan is traditionally a welcoming state and provides a lot of support for the programming that we do,” he said.Michigan's Legislature is also settling the state's budget with tax cut proposals as a better-than-expected economy and federal pandemic relief funds yield surplus state finances. “The recession caused by COVID turned out not to be as severe as many of us feared,” Ballard said. He cautioned the state will still need to pay its bills should tax cuts be too generous. “Once you cut a tax, it's hard to bring it back,” he said.With balanced budgets required in nearly every state, states have funds to cut taxes and increase spending at the same time, Grossmann said.  “They're good times to be a state legislator or governor. You have lots of goodies to give out, some from the federal government and some from unexpected surpluses.”Candidates for variety of statewide offices are filing now for upcoming political party conventions and primary votes under new election districts. While state courts and the U.S. Supreme Court are now ruling on legal redistricting challenges, Michigan's early filings indicate candidates expect to run under the new district boundaries, Grossmann said. 

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, said Charles Ballard, MSU economist and a member of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) podcast team.“There's already been an effect,” he said during the podcast recording. “I don't think that will be enormous.” 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.This month's IPPSR State of the State Podcast features IPPSR Director Dr. Matt Grossmann and IPPSR Associate Director Arnold Weinfeld.Other highlights from the monthly internet broadcast produced in partnership by IPPSR, a campus center for policy education, political leadership development and survey research, and WKAR Radio:·       Inflation, up 5.2% in January and the biggest annual gain since 1983, is likely to make a “negative dent” in President Biden's approval, Grossmann said. How large a dent depends on inflation's duration, how long inflation stays in the news and how strong public perceptions are in the wake of rising prices.·       Retirees' effect on the economy looks under the public radar, Ballard observed. In the past 20 years, Baby Boomers, the generation of people born from 1946 to 1964, have hit retirement years. In the past months, workers wrung out by the pandemic have left jobs. “That contributes to the supply disruptions,” he said. “It contributes to higher prices.”·       IPPSR's latest State of the State Survey (SOSS) shows an especially sour Michigan view of inflation and politicians. The latest survey, in December 2021, found that 70 percent of those responding to the survey expect the rate of inflation to rise; only 11 percent expect decline. In the 2020 survey, some 48 percent of SOSS respondents expected inflation's uptick, 12 percent foresaw downturn. “As we know, perception is everything,” Weinfeld commented.·       Rising gasoline prices is a particular distaste, Grossmann said. “Voters notice those gas prices. “Voters take note and react negatively. Voters don't like it.” Historically, rising gasoline prices are related to declining voter favor not only for the president, but also for election losses for the president's political party.·       Even Biden's Build Back Better initiative, addressing infrastructure and now before the U.S. Congress, came in for doubt in the State of the State Survey. When interviewers asked about Biden's Build Back Better plan, it was opposed 47 percent-30 percent, Grossmann said. When the plan's components were explained, it gained majority support from SOSS respondents.·       In statewide politics, Michigan still favors Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the state's 2022 gubernatorial race and Democrats in congressional voting, Grossmann said. However, races should narrow as November draws nearer, he cautioned.·       Tax cuts are on the table in Michigan's Legislature with budget surpluses, due primarily to federal economic stimulus, giving rise to proposals to cut taxes for individuals, corporations, retirees with pensions and certain 401(k) investments. ·       Resources are available now to pay down long-term debt, cut taxes and increase benefits, Grossmann said. During times of strong resources, decisionmakers can make changes “we then regret a few years later,” he added. Strong resources now don't mean “good times are here for good.”The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research is a part of the College of Social Science at Michigan State University. It specializes in policy education, leadership training and survey research. IPPSR is the home of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, the Office for Survey Research, State of the State Survey, Legislative Leadership Program, Rosenthal Legislative Internship Program, more than 60 affiliate faculty members, student policy fellows and major research databases on topics of interest to academic researchers, legislators, policy makers, elected leaders and journalists around the world. IPPSR's monthly State of the State Podcast is broadcast with the assistance of WKAR Radio along with radio stations on the air and over the internet, on SoundCloud and ITunes. You'll also find this edition of the State of the State Podcast on MSU Today with Russ White. Find IPPSR on social media @IPPSR on Twitter and Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) | Facebook on Facebook.MSU Today airs Sunday mornings at 9:00 on WKAR News/Talk and Sunday nights at 8:00 on 760 WJR. Find, rate, and subscribe to "MSU Today with Russ White" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

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.

In the news today: Record number of MSU researchers named as 2021 AAAS Fellows. Inflation updates and why now? MSU experts respond. Student thoughts over Oscar nominations. 

Rep. Brenda Lawrence is a longtime Congresswoman in Michigan, and a fixture in southeast Michigan's political scene. She talks about how her personal life and the attempted Jan. 6 insurrection helped her decide not to run for reelection. And, economists Justin Wolfers and Charles Ballard talk about how supply-chain shortages and low global vaccination rates are causing increasing prices.

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.

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?

Michigan Policast for Monday, June 28, 2021 Big Lie debunked by the Big Liars Progress on Biden's infrastructure plan Dr Charles Ballard on Biden's infrastructure bill and its effect on Michigan Progress on the state...

On this episode we're joined by Charles Ballard, driver of truck #685 and Tyler Howell, Director of Safety for Stokes Trucking. We discuss mental health with Charles and Stokes Trucking's employee medical benefits with Tyler Howell. Please check out this article published by Pride Transport - https://www.pridetransport.com/news-and-events/to-end-it-all-american-truck-driver-suicideIf you are struggling, here are a couple hotline numbers...National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline:1-800-950-626424/7/365 Crisis Hotline1-800-273-8255National Suicide Prevention Lifeline1-800-273-8255

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.

In this hour a look at the impact of adding a whopping 916,000 jobs to the US economy last month with MSU economist Charles Ballard. Plus, Kirk Pinho of Crain's Detroit Business on how Detroit companies are thinking about office space for a post pandemic working world.

Michigan Policast for Monday, April 5, 2021   In this episode: COVID-19 updates Dr Charles Ballard on Biden's infrastructure plan Voter suppression, the GOP, and the new Jim Crow Political notes Transcript @IPPSR @CDCDirector @SecGranholm...

On this edition of City Pulse On the Air, we listen to an exclusive interview with MSU economics professor Charles Ballard about what to expect from the American economy in the early days of the incoming Biden Administration. We also hear from local musician Tom Heideman and his quest to spread holiday cheer despite the pandemic.

Michigan Policast for Monday, December 14, 2020   In this episode: COVID-19 shutdowns, restrictions, vaccines Dr Charles Ballard on the economy Trump's rigged election scripted reality show Political notes & attack ad of the week...

Chris Holman welcomes Dr. Charles Ballard for a video interview on the Michigan Business Network. Dr. Ballard is a professor at Michigan State University for the Department of Economics. In the interview, they discuss the status of the economy globally and in Michigan.

The relative losses have been larger in the Great Lakes region than in any other region in the U.S., and larger in Michigan than in any other state, economists Charles Ballard and John Goddeeris found.They shared results of their work in the latest State of the State Podcast, hosted by MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research in the College of Social Science.  The research began a year ago before the coronavirus pandemic and the death of George Floyd focused heightened public attention on racial disparities in the United States, Goddeeris said.  The study focused on annual wages in the full-time, year-round workforce and spanned four decades. Find the research paper here. “Since around 1980, Black workers, both men and women, have lost a lot of ground relative to whites outside of the south,” Goddeeris said during the podcast.  “It is striking that African Americans have lost the most ground in Michigan.” The most important factors explaining these trends are racial differences in education, they concluded, along with occupational segregation. They called for continued enforcement of anti-discrimination laws as “an important part of any effort to improve the earnings of black workers,” in a presentation made as part of an IPPSR training program.In addition, they recommended: ·       Greater public awareness of the racial wage gap.·       Any steps to help reduce overall inequality, including raising the minimum wage, will help erase the racial wage gap.·       Improvements in the quality and quantity of education to all will lift the fortunes of all American children, but is likely to help African Americans disproportionately.·       Longer K-12 school year, better financing for education, and increased attention to graduation rates from elementary school through college.·        IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann and Associate IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld hosted this broadcast over Zoom while MSU employees conduct teaching and research remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. IPPSR is best known for its policy education, leadership training, and survey research. It is home of the Public Policy Forum Series, the Michigan Political Leadership Program, Office for Survey Research and State of the State Survey and a number of databases valuable to researchers, academic faculty and media.

City Pulse editor and publisher Berl Schwartz hosts his weekly conversation with MSU Political Science Professor Matt Grossmann about the presidential campaign. He also speaks with MSU Economics Professor Charles Ballard.Arts editor Skyler Ashley spoke with Tommy McCord of GTG Records about the Stay At Home concert series. McCord speaks with Ashley about how musicians are staying connected to their audience amid the coronavirus.Listen to City Pulse On the Air every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Impact 89FM.

In the second part of this conversation, they're joined by Dr. Keith Hampton and Dr. Johannes Bauer, both of whom are affiliated with MSU's Quello Center, which is focused on research that stimulates and informs public debate on media, communication, and information policy. They'll be discussing their latest report, which investigated the broadband gap and K-12 student performance, a subject made even more timely by the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic and resulting closure of schools for the remainder of the school year.  On the economy, says Ballard, “I look for silver linings in any cloud, but this is a very cloudy cloud. Right now this is the sharpest, fastest economic contraction that the United States economy has ever had. Moody's Analytics says that daily output is down by 29 percent nationally, and it's actually a little bit more than that in Michigan. Different states are slightly above or slightly below that national average of a 29 percent fall in economic activity.  “There is no question we are in a recession now. The best that we can hope for, and there are good things that we can hope for, is if we can get the virus under control. The sooner that we can do that, the better it'll be for the economy. If we can begin to move back toward more normal activity, we may be able to have a fairly rapid rebound from this extraordinarily sharp downturn. But right now, in early April, this is certainly a very, very difficult patch in terms of our health and in terms of our economy.”  And on the impact of Covid-19 on our politics, adds Grossmann, “President Trump has certainly tried to leave it to the governors and not provided as much as he could and not do as much coordination as past presidents have done. Ggovernors are already both fighting and coordinating among themselves, and in the longer-term, they're going to be very reliant on federal resources because right now they have some new expenditures and they have a dramatic drop in revenue coming.”  The trio discusses the potential impact of the virus on Michigan's manufacturing sector and on K-12 education across the country.  “Nearly every state has closed its schools,” Grossmann says. “Many have already ended face-to-face instruction for the year, and many others will go down that route. We're tracking what states have decided and attempting to provide some of the research background to make some of their transitions potentially more effective, but it is going to be a difficult situation.  “Essentially, most states that we've seen make moves so far are telling the districts, ‘okay, you need to start distance education as soon as you can. You have to abide by every federal restriction in terms of students with disabilities and still provide individualized instruction to students with special needs, and we don't have any resources for you, and you need to do it in the next two weeks.' And that is obviously going to be a big problem for everyone trying to implement it.  “There are some districts that are prepared to distribute, say, internet-connected devices and provide some kind of curriculum for at least some age groups within their districts. But there is not a single state that was prepared even to the level that universities were prepared to shift all of a sudden to providing statewide distance education. And while there's a lot of innovation that we're tracking in terms of being able to make contacts in other ways, for example, some of the research does suggest that the contacts with teachers are our most important. If they can be done by mail or by phone or by text, they could also be effective. There are some districts innovating there, but everyone is learning on the fly. What we've tried to do is collect on our website what every state is doing, what they're requiring of their districts, and any materials that they are providing to their districts to make that happen.”  “About a year ago, much before this crisis, we set out to look at levels of digital inequality primarily in rural Michigan,” says Hampton. “We partnered with 15 school districts and Merit Networks, primarily rural school districts, to look at levels of at-home connectivity, what students were doing online, what types of devices they had, and their digital skills. Most importantly, we were interested in how variation in those different levels of inequality was affecting different types of performance related to standardized test taking, classroom grades, intent to go on to university, and even interest in STEM-related careers.  “When we looked at rural students, about 47 percent of those who were living in rural areas had some kind of high-speed internet access at home, compared to about 77 percent of those suburban students that we interviewed. Of those who don't have any kind of home connectivity, about a third of them also don't have a computer at home.  “There's a very big gap between what students are doing who don't have connectivity and those who do in terms of digital skills.”  “Our report has had influence on the ground,” Bauer adds. “It was received by many people who are worried about how to navigate these difficult times. Some of these inequalities are difficult to overcome in the short-term. It's not that we didn't know them. They have been known for decades. Ten years ago the federal government issued a national broadband plan that laid out the territory as to what needed to happen to be able to use broadband to increase productivity in the economy, to deliver important government services, and to deliver educational services. We have made significant progress in the meantime, but broadband is not yet at all those locations where it should be to really have a second effective mode of education in a crisis like this.  “This is not just a rural or small town issue. We see the same or even more egregious divides and inequalities actually in urban areas, where the differences between those who are connected and those who are not connected, for income or for non-availability issues, are as large as they are in rural Michigan.”  “A year ago when we started this, we set out to find out if and where these inequalities exist. It's really about skill and devices. Cell phone-only access is not equivalent to having high-speed access and a computer in the home. And even once you work on these inequalities in access, students are going to be experiencing massive differences in their digital skills and ability to engage online with content, and that's even before we address inequalities in parents' and teachers' digital skills.”  “Education is the strongest indicator of future earnings, and the differences between the earnings of those with more education and those with less have widened very dramatically in the last 40 years,” says Ballard. “Among men, the average real earnings for those with a high school diploma or less are less now than they were in the early 1970s. For those with a bachelor's degree or more, there's been pretty good growth. So, education is absolutely crucial, and increasingly I think digital sophistication is going to make a huge difference.”  In closing, Grossmann is thinking about the next school year and adds “Students are going to come back behind where they otherwise would be even if you assume the very best efforts on behalf of students, teachers, and districts to try to make these haphazard changes very quickly. The easiest way to make up that lost learning is actually going to be more instruction, that is, a longer school year or a longer school day. There are a few states thinking about it, but it, of course, has to come with more resources to make happen. And those are currently in short supply. Governor Whitmer opened the door. She said that districts could advance different schedules for next year, but it's not just different schedules that are going to be necessary. It's actually more instruction.”  MSU Today airs Sunday mornings at 9:00 on 105.1 FM and AM 870. 

To find out the economic perspective of what the business community is experiencing with COVID-19, the coronavirus;, Chris Holman spent some time with the man who keeps a close eye on Michigan’s economy, Professor Charles Ballard Phd, Department of Economics at MSU. In the interview, Dr. Ballard explains the impact of steps taken natinoally and around the world. » Subscribe for More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX... » Visit MBN website: https://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ MBN ON SOCIAL: MBN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX... Like MBN: https://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork Follow MBN: https://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ MBN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

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.

Michigan Policast for Monday, March 23, 2020 Cover image:  Fauci facepalm   In this episode: Public education = equal access or no credit Another Trump meltdown – “You’re a terrible reporter!” Governor Whitmer’s executive orders...

To find out what the business community can expect from the coronavirus and its effects on our economy, Chris Holman spent some time with the man who keeps a close eye on Michigan’s economy, Professor Charles Ballard Phd, Department of Economics at MSU. In the interview, Dr. Ballard explains that not only does the outbreak have serious health implications but also serious economic outcomes. » Subscribe for More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX... » Visit MBN website: https://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ MBN ON SOCIAL: MBN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX... Like MBN: https://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork Follow MBN: https://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ MBN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

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.MSU Today airs Sunday mornings at 9:00 on 105.1 FM and AM 870. Find MSU Today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, You Tube, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Michigan State University professor of economics Charles Ballard talks with Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher about how Michigan residents are feeling about the economy.

Michigan State University professor of economics Charles Ballard talks with Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher about how Michigan residents are feeling about the economy.

Opinions from the latest State of the State Survey Michigan consumers are more positive about their personal finances than they've been in nearly two decades, and by some measures, the most upbeat of the century, the latest State of the State Survey finds. Those interviewed between June 13 and Nov. 3 said they consider themselves better off financially than a year ago, comfortable with their current household finances and confident they'll be better off next year as well. Michigan adults also cooled slightly toward President Donald Trump as the year ended, and gave Gov. Gretchen Whitmer her opening SOSS marks of “fair.” While a positive economic outlook typically bodes well for an incumbent president, Trump's ratings “are not all that great,” said State of the State Director Charles Ballard, a Michigan State University economics professor. His favorable ratings – excellent and good choices combined, stood at 31 percent. “Almost exactly half gave him a rating of poor,” Ballard said. Michigan's residents answering the State of the State Survey (SOSS) also weighed in on their confidence in government – state, local and federal. Trust in local, state and federal government all dipped slightly. SOSS results were outlined on IPPSR's latest State of the State Podcast. Hosts IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann, Associate Director Arnold Weinfeld and SOSS Director Charles Ballard, an MSU economics professor, were January's podcasters. As Trump seeks re-election in 2020, under a third of Michigan's residents – 31.4 percent – gave President Donald Trump a combined rating of “good” or “excellent.” Those marks are down from 33.9 percent “good” or “excellent” recorded in the survey completed just about a year ago. In the latest phone survey, 50.3 percent of Michigan's citizens ranked Trump's ratings as “poor.” Another 18.3 percent gave the president, a Republican, a “fair” rating. Among those answering questions about their trust in all levels of government, their trust in local government is higher now than in most of the century, Ballard said. Nearly 44 percent of those responding said they could trust local government “most of the time.” The high mark came in 2002 when 46.9 percent of them said they could trust local government nearly all or most of the time. In this survey, 21.3 percent of those responding said they could trust state government most of the time and 49.5 percent some of the time. Trust in state government reached a high point in 2002, when 36.2 percent of those answering the survey said they trusted their state officials. Those who say they seldom or never trust their federal government outnumber those who indicate they trust federal government nearly all or most of the time by a three-to-one margin, Ballard says. “Trust in the federal government is far below the all-time high, which came shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001” when terrorists flew passenger planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, Ballard notes. Trump stands at 15.6 percent “excellent,” compared to Whitmer's 5.7 percent. Michigan gives Trump an 18.3 percent “fair” rating, and Whitmer a 46.1 percent “fair” mark. Trump's “poor” marks are more than three times Whitmer's 14.9 percent assessment. “Trump wins more extreme responses than the first-term governor. He has a higher percentage of excellent ratings, but also a higher percentage of poor grades,” Ballard says. “The differences are even starker when you look at attitudes by race, sex and party affiliation.” Women favor Whitmer over Trump. Among Black Michigan residents, 34.3 percent give Whitmer “good” or “excellent” performance marks. Trump wins 3.2 percent favorable marks from the demographic. Trump wins high marks from nearly three-quarters of Republicans responding to the survey. More than half of Democrats responding – 56.8 percent – gave Whitmer favorable marks. Under 2 percent – 1.8 percent – of Democrats gave Trump high marks. Independents rated them similarly. With a ±3.2 percent margin of error, 34.9 percent of Independents ranked Whitmer highly. In the latest SOSS measure, 33.8 percent of Independents ranked Trump highly. Among those answering SOSS interviewers, 62 percent – just below the all-time high reading of 64.1 percent in 1999 – called their current finances “excellent” or “good.” Just 18 percent called their finances worse than a year ago, the lowest reading since 1999, Ballard says. SOSS recorded 47.4 calling their households better off than a year ago. “Those ratings are among the best of this century,” Ballard says. “Those who predicted they'll be better off a year from now was also one of the best in more than a decade,” he says. In the latest SOSS, 63.2 percent forecast they'll be financially better off in 2020, below the state's 70.5 percent peak of optimism in 2001, before the state entered a slide to recession.  MSU Today airs Sunday mornings at 9:00 on 105.1 FM and AM 870. Find MSU Today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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.

The United Auto Workers strike against GM over a lack of a new contract has dragged on into a second week. Meanwhile, the negotiations over the state budget are going down to the wire ahead of the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, and the prospects of enacting a budget and avoiding a state government shutdown don’t appear bright. The combination of those two storylines isn’t good news for Michigan’s economy. On today’s show, we hear from Charles Ballard, an economics professor at Michigan State University who has written extensively about the state’s economy. Ballard says the economics of a prolonged GM strike, coupled with a state government shutdown, would particularly hurt the Lansing region, which has a GM plant and is the state capitol. And it could definitely push Michigan back into recession for the first time in a decade. And Michigan’s economy hasn’t been doing all that great to begin with, Ballard says, with a major slowdown in the number of jobs created since 2017, and any economic gains mostly flowing to the top earners. Have a listen in the player above. Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you’re hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.

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.

"Preparing a Corporate Apology" with top experts; David Stone, Co-founder, and President, Trion Solutions, Inc., Jim Baiers, Attorney and Trion’s in-house General Counsel, and Jeff Caponigro, President, and CEO of Caponigro Public Relations. Michael Patrick Shiels talks with MSU Professor, Dr. Charles Ballard about MSU's latest "State of the State" political survey. #AskBizRap

"Manufacturing Issues and Challenges," with our panel of experts, Gary Carr, Bekum America Corporation, Tom Alongi, UHY Advisors, Pam Hurt, NCMS - National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Brett Gerrish, Michigan Manufacturers Association (M.M.A), moderated by Elyse Puruleski Kopietz, of the M.M.A. Also, Phil Zeller of Dale Carnegie - SW Michigan - answers your business communications' questions in our "Ask Phil" segment. Then, Michael Patrick Shiels talks with MSU pProfessor, Dr. Charles Ballard about MSU's latest "State of the State" political survey. Finally, Jack Ebling, Tom Crawford talk with Malcolm Moran, Director of the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University/Purdue University/Indianapolis (IUPUI) about the impact the Supreme Court gambling ruling will have on collegiate sports. #AskBizRap

"Manufacturing Issues and Challenges," with our panel of experts, Gary Carr, Bekum America Corporation, Tom Alongi, UHY Advisors, Pam Hurt, NCMS - National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Brett Gerrish, Michigan Manufacturers Association (M.M.A), moderated by Elyse Puruleski Kopietz, of the M.M.A. Also, Phil Zeller of Dale Carnegie - SW Michigan - answers your business communications' questions in our "Ask Phil" segment. Then, Michael Patrick Shiels talks with MSU pProfessor, Dr. Charles Ballard about MSU's latest "State of the State" political survey. Finally, Jack Ebling, Tom Crawford talk with Malcolm Moran, Director of the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University/Purdue University/Indianapolis (IUPUI) about the impact the Supreme Court gambling ruling will have on collegiate sports. #AskBizRap

"Preparing a Corporate Apology" with top experts; David Stone, Co-founder, and President, Trion Solutions, Inc., Jim Baiers, Attorney and Trion’s in-house General Counsel, and Jeff Caponigro, President, and CEO of Caponigro Public Relations. Michael Patrick Shiels talks with MSU Professor, Dr. Charles Ballard about MSU's latest "State of the State" political survey. #AskBizRap

"Harassment in the Workplace" with our experts Jodi Schafer of Human Resource management Services and Julie Haak of Neogen. Next, Phil Zeller of Dale Carnegie Michigan answers your communication questions in our "Ask Phil" segment. Then, Michael Patrick Shiels talks about the economy with MSU professor, Dr. Charles Ballard. Finally, Chad Livengood of Crain's Detroit Business brings you another edition of Detroit Rising. #AskBizRap

"Harassment in the Workplace" with our experts Jodi Schafer of Human Resource management Services and Julie Haak of Neogen. Next, Phil Zeller of Dale Carnegie Michigan answers your communication questions in our "Ask Phil" segment. Then, Michael Patrick Shiels talks about the economy with MSU professor, Dr. Charles Ballard. Finally, Chad Livengood of Crain's Detroit Business brings you another edition of Detroit Rising. #AskBizRap

This is the first of 2018's State of the State Podcasts and the third lively discussion on topics that are often at the forefront of Michigan's legislative, advocacy and citizen debate. This month, hosts Matt Grossmann and Charles Ballard team with Kristi Bowman, who serves as Michigan State University's Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law. She is an education law scholar whose work has examined schools in fiscal crisis, students' free speech rights and racial/ethnic equality in education. This discussion centers on school funding, minority rights and the long Michigan history of equalizing funding across school districts.

In this second State of the State Podcast, guest political scientist Josh Sapotichne, director of Michigan State University's Public Policy Program, joins Matt Grossmann and Charles Ballard. Dr. Grossmann is a political scientist who directs MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Dr. Ballard is an economics professor who directs IPPSR's State of the State Survey.

IPPSR's first State of the State Podcast featuring IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann and Charles Ballard, MSU professor of economics and director of IPPSR's State of the State Survey. A research-based perspective on Michigan's hottest political topics. Their first discussion spotlights proposed Michigan income tax cuts, the potential for a part-time Michigan Legislature and the state's bid for a new headquarters for the online powerhouse Amazon.

Charles Ballard is a professor in the Department of Economics in the College of Social Science. He has served as a consultant with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Health & Human Services, and Treasury, and with research institutes in Australia, Denmark, and Finland.  His books include “Michigan at the Millennium” and “Michigan’s Economic Future.” In 2007, Charles became director of the State of the State Survey, in MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Also in 2007, he won the Outstanding Teacher Award in MSU’s College of Social Science. In 2011, he joined the Board of Directors of the Michigan League for Public Policy.  Charles earned his doctorate from Stanford University.

Host Steven Rich discusses what happens after the undergrad fun ends with experts Dr. Phil Gardner, Executive Director of the MSU Career Services Network and Director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute, Charles Ballard, Professor of Economics at MSU, and recent graduate Hannah Duke. Reporter Carmen Scruggs focuses on the value of an unpaid internship and whether or not students are being taken advantage of.

Host Steven Rich discusses what happens after the undergrad fun ends with experts Dr. Phil Gardner, Executive Director of the MSU Career Services Network and Director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute, Charles Ballard, Professor of Economics at MSU, and recent graduate Hannah Duke. Reporter Carmen Scruggs focuses on the value of an unpaid internship...

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, recorded at Rocky's in Grand Rapids, Jeff and Ed discuss: 1. The race for governor. The Democratic field is growing. Former Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee filed to explore a run and long-exploring candidate Andy Dillon, state House speaker, made his run official Monday. Do Kildee and Lansing Mayor Verg Bernero split the labor base and help Dillon? How does Dillon's pro-life status factor in the primary? On the GOP side, the campaign of Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder has filed two complaints with the Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Attorney General Mike Cox alleging that groups behind a series of attack ads are violating Michigan’s campaign finance law. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra was noted in the Washington Post's Fix column today in an analysis that Texas voters rejection of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson in the gubernatorial race revealed a more vitriolic anti-Washington mood. 2. Grand Rapids Congressional race. Before a crowd of about 200 people, Steve Heacock formally announced his Republican candidacy for the seat being vacated by veteran U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers. Already in the race are first-term state Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, and term-limited state Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood. Do Heacock and Hardiman carve up more moderate elements of the party while Amash, an ardent small-government proponent, appeals to the fiscal conservatives? 3. Employee givebacks. The state Senate failed Wednesday to muster the votes to block 3-percent pay raises for state employees. The same day the anti-teachers union Education Action Group criticized Grand Rapids school officials for agreeing to hear from Michigan State University economist Charles Ballard, who conducted a study in the fall that concluded Michigan state employees are not overpaid. Conversation starters: • Ed on National Talk in the Third Person Day. Think Bob Dole. • Jeff on an organization that pushes for alternatives to incarceration held out Michigan, which has seen lower prison populations and lower violent crime, as one of four models in the country. Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth says judges are very judicious in sending felons to prison, only two in 10, compared to national average of four of 10. It comes as the state decides whether to reinstate good time for prisons to lower prison population and save millions.

At a spry 83, Rev. Charles Ballard returns to Epworth to preach a sermon entitled "What a Past. . . Miracles in the Future."