' Phil’s Column'
For past columns by Phil Power, go to www.thecenterformichigan.net.
Half the investment on colleges means a full measure of trouble for Michigan
To grow Michigan’s economy, we need more skilled workers, an estimated 1 million two- and four-year college graduates are needed to fill the job vacancies by 2025. Employers all over our state are complaining they can’t find ...
State leaders run wrong way on higher education
The progressive group Business Leaders for Michigan just held a leadership summit devoted to the topic of learning and our state’s economic future. The theme was “Higher Education: A Growth Engine for the New Michigan” and ...
Michigan, learn the lessons of early childhood
There are two approaches to justify initiatives in public policy: arguing from assertions of morality and reasoning from return on investment. The former method is by far the most common in today’s discourse. It’s relatively easy to ...
Moroun family looks to state ballot tactic to protect its business
News item: The Detroit International Bridge Company, which owns the Ambassador Bridge, wants to put a state constitutional amendment on the ballot, one that would require a statewide vote for the New International Trade Crossing bridge ...
Political turmoil threatens to close gateway to jobs
The idea: Transform Michigan into theMidwest’s premier inland port and transportation hub, uniquely linking air, sea, rail and road capabilities. Create a new industry — a Great Lakes Global Gateway — forged from our existing manufacturing ...
Everyone loses if Detroit’s course doesn’t change
Oddly, the first question the politicians asked after the Detroit City Council finally voted to approve the consent agreement with the state of Michigan was not “will it work,” but “Who won?” Short Answer No. 1: ...
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State waits for Legislature to do its job on transit
What would be the goal of the RTA? Is the priority to design a rapid,
Not much above par on Michigan's scorecard
For a quick look at a state with a good "dashboard", read this piece a
Poverty rises even as economy turns
Since the 1960s 4 out of 5 manufacturing jobs have been lost to automa
Not much above par on Michigan's scorecard
Wait a minute here, Snyder and the Repugs gave $1.8 Billion to corpora
State waits for Legislature to do its job on transit
Thank you for calling out the legislature for dragging their feet on a