State of Michigan Government Information

Introduction

Northern Michigan University is one of 12 libraries in the state (and the only one in the Upper Peninsula) to be designated as a Michigan Documents Depository. This program, administered by the Library of Michigan, distributes publications in print and electronic form that are available to all citizens of Michigan. Look carefully at what you've found in OneSearch: there might be a link to a document that exists only online instead of a call number to a printed one. Electronic Michigan Documents (and only electronic Michigan documents) can be searched via this resource from the Library of Michigan.

For Upper Peninsula government information, please go to the Local & Regional page (select this from the menu on the left side of this page).

Core Resources

Michigan Constitution
Michigan has adopted four constitutions, those of 1835, 1850, 1908, and 1963. Each document was the product of a convention composed of delegates elected to draft a proposed constitution for submission to the voters. This link will let you view the last constitution, of 1963, which became effective on January 1, 1964, and has been amended 17 times. A paper copy can be found in the book collection on the library upper floor under KFM 4601 1963 .A35 2002.

Google Custom Search Engine for Michigan Tribes
Includes all 12 tribes in Michigan as well as links associated with the tribes. Casinos not included.

Census: Michigan 
State of Michigan website devoted to census data for Michigan. Population as well as Socio-Economic data has been obtained from the Federal Census and summarized/edited into numbers specific to Michigan. Most reports are in .pdf or spreadsheet formats.

Citizens Research Council of Michigan 
CRC of Michigan is a nonprofit public affairs research organization that provides factual, unbiased, independent information on issues concerning state and local government in Michigan.

Citizen's Guide to State Government 
Prepared by the Michigan Legislature, this pdf contains detailed information on all three branches of state government, including names of current House and Senate officers, committee members, and Supreme Court justices. Provides a good overview for anyone interested in Michigan politics.

Publications from the Michigan Legislature
Constantly updated list of publications about Michigan government including the Citizen's Guide to State Government, Taxpayer Guide, Tenants & Landlords, and Friend of the Court.

MichiganVotes.org. This is a free public service of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, which is a conservative think tank. Like the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, this resource is not a website from the State of Michigan. Also related is the non-partisan Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a group concerned about the influence of money in politics.

List of Michigan Think Tanks.
From Julia Ezzo at Michigan State University.

Searching for older Michigan publications that are, perhaps, not online? Try one of several resources: answercat.org, the Library of Michigan Catalog , the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and the Detroit Public Library.

Executive Branch

State Websites that fall under the Executive Branch.

Office of the State Budget   
Links to the most recent budget bills for departments and other documents. 

State of Michigan Directory  
Allows you to look up State of Michigan employees and their phone numbers or email addresses.

Legislative Branch

Michigan Legislature  
A free service of the Michigan Legislative Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Senate.  Provides information on bills, Senate and House calendars, committee meetings, joint resolutions, public acts, and the Michigan Compiled Laws.

State of Michigan Representatives (UP only) [see also U.S. representatives ]

Legal resources for Michigan at Lydia Olson Library can be found using the Legal Resources guide.

Jenn Hill (D) 
House representative for the 109th District.

Gregory Markkanen (R) 
House representative for the 110th District.

Dave Prestin (R) 
House representative for the 108th District.

Ed McBroom (R) 
Senate representative for the 38th District.

John Damoose (R) 
Senate represtative for the 37th District.

Neil Friske (R) 
House representative for the 107th District.

Michigan House of Representatives  
The official Web page for Michigan's House of Representatives.

Michigan Senate  
The official Web page for Michigan's Senate.

Judicial Branch

Link to the Trial Courts, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court.

Michigan Courts 
Offers links to the Michigan Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and trial courts.  Also provides an overview of the court system, online court forms, current court rules, etc. 

State Legal Materials 
Listing of Michigan legal resources from Cornell University.

Additional Government Websites and Resources

Follow the Money: Michigan.
The Michigan portion of Followthemoney.  Tracking money in state politics.  

Michigan Townships Association.

Michigan Association of Counties.

Michigan Municipal League.

Michigan Association of Mayors.

Intertribal Council of Michigan. An additional (and expanded) resource for Native American's in Michigan is Government Resources for Michigan Tribal Libraries.

Michigan Association of Regions. There are 14 regions in Michigan (also known as Councils of Government).

List of Michigan think tanks from Michigan State University.  

From the Michigan Department of Treasury, All Local Government Document Search.  A public online repository of document submissions and determinations for local units of government

State and Local Government on the Net: Michigan. A bit of a duplication of what's been listed here, but in a different layout. The National Association of Counties has a clickable map of states with similar contact information.

The Council of State Governments.  The CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships. The Midwest Office covers Michigan.

Michigan Zoning Database.  Prepared courtesy of researchers at the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute.

Government resources (articles, publications, events, contacts) related to governing in Michigan at all levels from the Michigan Extension.

Agency Publications

Many Michigan agencies have scanned in older (and current) printed publications (such as reports) and have made them available online. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to find. I hope this list helps. USA.gov can be used to search Michigan government websites. Type "site:michigan.gov" after your search. 

Also, "agency publications" are now simply the agency websites themselves.  A fluid, ever-changing document of what that agency is about.

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