Tell us how cities can reduce worker retirement costs So you’ve read Bridge’s fairly terrifying report about how Michigan cities and towns have failed to fund employees’ pension and health-care plans, sometimes ignoring the problem for decades. The result: billions of dollars in unfunded retirement obligations across the state. Add to that crumbling infrastructure, dwindling […]
Bridge Staff
Bridge’s mission is to inform Michigan citizens about their state, amplify their views and explore the challenges of our civic life.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Searchable database: Legacy costs in your community
Legacy costs are commitments made in the past that will be paid by future generations. The two biggest forms of legacy costs for local governments in Michigan are pensions and health care insurance for retired public workers. Michigan has nearly 1,800 units of local government. Nearly 300 have some level of legacy costs. Two-thirds of […]
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Detroit Public TV and The Center team up for Community Conversations – And you're invited
What’s YOUR agenda for Michigan? Do you want to bend the ears of Michigan’s political candidates? Join the The Center for Michigan and MiVote/Detroit Public Television for a community conversation to set your agenda for Michigan in 2014 and beyond. Three Southeast Michigan community conversations will be held starting November 20th at Wayne County Community College. These discussions are free to […]
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Award-winning editor joins Bridge team
David Zeman, who spent two decades covering and editing some of the biggest stories in Michigan journalism, joined Bridge this week as the publication’s editor. “Bridge has very high aspirations to serve as the go-to source in Michigan for in-depth, future-oriented journalism exploring the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of public issues,” said John Bebow, president and […]
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
WE’RE HIRING: Bridge Magazine announces two staff writer openings
Driven by rapidly growing readership and philanthropic investment, Bridge Magazine has two immediate openings for experienced journalists who have a passion for covering the “how” and the “why” in Michigan’s vast and fast-moving news climate. Michigan Cities Reporter Bridge Magazine, a national award-winning, online publication dedicated to in-depth news and analysis of issues affecting life […]
Posted inSpecial report
Searchable database: Truancy in Michigan schools
Truancy rates vary dramatically from district to district. They are disproportionately high in urban areas with high poverty rates, where children and families cope with a wide range of issues including transportation, health care, and gaps in parenting skills that can create barriers to attendance. Enter the name of your school district below to view […]
Posted inSpecial report
Michigan teacher certification Basic Skills Test sample questions
See how you do answering sample multiple choice questions from the Michigan teacher certification Basic Skills test, which is typically taken during a senior year in college, before a student begins student teaching. Other certification tests are taken at the end of college. Incorrect answers will turn red and disappear; correct answers will turn green. […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Mood of Detroit at a glance: What city residents want from the next mayor
Generally speaking, do you think things in Detroit are on the right track or would you say things in Detroit are on the wrong track? Right track35.7%Wrong track43.2%Don’t know21.0%Refused0.2% Thinking about the next year, do you think things in Detroit will get better, get worse or stay the same? Get better60.2%Get worse7.2%Stay the same22.2%Don’t know10.5%Refused0.0% […]
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
How you can help set Michigan’s agenda for 2014
What kind of Michigan do you want in the future? Now is the time for you to have a voice in shaping a citizens’ agenda for the 2014 statewide elections. This month the Center for Michigan launches its latest statewide public engagement campaign. From now until next April, we will once again travel the state, […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Your graduation rates may vary
It’s not a statistic highlighted in college pamphlets or admissions websites, but it’s a data point freshman should think about as they set up their dorm rooms this week: Not all of them have the same chance of graduating. White students are more likely to graduate than African-American students at almost all Michigan universities. And […]