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Mackinac Center for Public Policy
| Mackinac Center for Public Policy | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Midland, Michigan |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Top official: | Joseph G. Lehman |
| Year founded: | 1987 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy (MCPP) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan research and educational institute. According to their website, the institute "advances the principles of free markets and limited government."[1]
Background
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy was founded in 1987. According to their website, they support "the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for free-market approaches to public policy that free people to realize their potential and their dreams."[2]
Leadership
As of August 2025, the following are listed as members of the board of directors:[3]
- Jim Barrett, vice chairman
- Daniel Graf
- Richard G. Haworth
- J.C. Huizenga
- Joseph G. Lehman, president
- Edward C. Levy Jr.
- Rodney M. Lockwood Jr.
- Joseph P. Maguire
- Richard D. McLellan
- Jennifer Panning
Work and activitites
Transparency projects
"MichiganTransparency.org"
MichiganTransparency.org was a project of the Mackinac Center that disclosed Secretary of State and Governor expenditures. The site also featured revenue and spending data for Michigan public school districts as reported by the state Department of Education, along with categorical grant data and school checkbook registers.[4] In response to the efforts of MichiganTransparency.org, The Secretary of State has published the expenditures of the department online.
"MichiganVotes.org"
MCPP hosts MichiganVotes.org to provide citizens with "instant access to concise, plain language and objective descriptions of every single bill, amendment, and vote that takes place in the Michigan legislature." "It is searchable by legislator, keyword, and 50 subject categories, so users can create their own custom 'voting record guide.'"[5]
"Students for a Free Economy"
Students for a Free Economy (SFE) was a project of MCPP designed to promote "free markets, civil society and individual liberty over government coercion."[6] The group provided resources and materials to colleges and universities and acted as a network for students.
Michigan school databases
MCPP hosted a number of databases on public schools across the state. These include information on union contracts, revenues, expenditures and other data.
- Collective Bargaining Agreements - data on bargaining agreements from each district in the state
- Revenue and Expenditure Report - provides info on revenue and expenditure for each public school district
- Checkbook Register Report - includes links to all school districts which post their checkbook registers online
- Grant Report - info on categorical grants for each district and allows users to make district-to-district comparisons
- Michigan School Money Primer - explains how revenues are raised for Michigan’s public school system, how it is distributed, and other info
Publications
MCPP conducts research on a wide variety of issues affecting the state of Michigan. The Center distributes its work through a number of publications. These include:
- Capital Confidential - highlights votes and proposals of the state legislature, reviews and analyzes policy issues
- Mackinac Center Impact - a newsletter of the Center
- Michigan Education Report - info on state education
- Michigan Privatization Report - info on privatization, distributed to state legislators, and other officials throughout the state
- Michigan Science - info on science-related policy matters
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Mackinac Center for Public Policy's revenues and expenses from 2015 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $6,434,630 | $6,003,578. |
| 2016 | $4,765,507 | $6,608,146 |
| 2017 | $8,513,761 | $6,620,239 |
| 2018 | $11,321,456 | $8,408,449 |
| 2019 | $8,585,785 | $9,891,359 |
| 2020 | $6,974,263 | $9,421,593 |
| 2021 | $15,562,407 | $10,121,925 |
| 2022 | $11,464,559 | $11,496,742 |
| 2023 | $11,036,681 | $12,614,701 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
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