Voters could see as many as seven proposals to amend the Michigan Constitution or state law on this November’s ballot – or none at all. Bureaucratic and legal reviews continue of the various proposals. Regardless of how they play out, though, Michigan has seen an unprecedented surge of spending to collect signatures and advance ideas […]
July 2012
Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol
Election 2012: GOP House eyes appeal to conservative base
In the 12 months since House Republicans passed the bulk of Gov. Rick Snyder’s economic agenda, they have: * Spurned Snyder’s call to establish a state-run health insurance exchange, per the federal Affordable Care Act, in the hope that the U.S. Supreme Court might declare the whole thing unconstitutional. Close, but no cigar. But following […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Learning life outdoors: Old idea, new generation
Dick Laing recalls with pride working with Michigan Tech Universityon a residential “boot camp” style program in forestry and conservation skills in the Upper Peninsula that helped disadvantaged youngsters develop life skills. The program eventually fell victim to budgetary neglect, he says. Laing never doubted, however, the value of the effort to put children from urban […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“A man of knowledge lives by acting, not by thinking about acting” — Carlos Castaneda, anthropologist and author. * The mayor of Royal Oak says that if voters don’t improve a public safety property tax millage next week, city services are toast. Royal Oak has cut its police force by 40 percent in the last […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Join school discussions in Wayne County, online
Detroit and Wayne County residents concerned about the future of K-12 education in Michigan are encouraged to attend the next Center for Michigan Community Conversation, to be held at The Children’s Center of Wayne County on Saturday, Aug. 4. The session, co-sponsored by Michigan Radio and The Children’s Center, will be a town hall format, […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Teddy Roosevelt knew what Up North is worth
My family and I are observing a time-honored state tradition this week: Like thousands and thousands of Michiganders, I’m Up North with my family … in my case, way up north. Our cabin is on the south shore of Lake Superior, about an hour north of Marquette. When I got up at 6 a.m. the […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Economic turmoil challenges Mich. seniors, too
Keep your ear to the ground, and you can almost hear a revolution coming. The New York Times outlines the very different economics of households at either end of the human lifespan in a piece headlined “Old vs. Young.” Esquire magazine declares “The War Against Youth.” The Washington Post flatly states “Young Americans Get the […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Adviser: Longer careers serve seniors, society
Like many people who visit the city, Randal Charlton fell in love with New Orleans, so much so that he thought the city’s mix of food and music would be a sure-fire hit in Sarasota, Fla., where he lived at the time. Café New Orleans was no such thing, however, and Charlton was left in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Streetcars for Detroit’s Woodward Ave. are just two years away, advocate says
Streetcars disappeared from Detroit decades ago, but a group of prominent business and philanthropic leaders are trying to build a modern version of the once-popular transit system. Auto racing legend Roger Penske, Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert, the Kresge Foundation and others have raised nearly $100 million for a proposed streetcar system running along Woodward […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“I find that a great part of the information I have, was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way” — Franklin P. Adams, early 20th century American writer. * Illinois’ governor may call a special session of the Legislature to deal with public pension programs. Bridge’s coverage on Michigan’s pension […]