By Maud Lyon/CultureSource NOT FOR SALE: Detroit’s artistic legacy was a gift and remains a public trust. It cannot be sold off like a company’s office equipment, argues Maud Lyon. (Bridge archive photo) For 128 years, men and women have given works of art to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Why would people give the […]
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 inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Preschool funding boost praised, but there’s work to do for Michigan’s 0-3’s
By Mina Hong/Michigan’s Children and Scott Menzel/MAISA FAST START: Michigan’ new investment in preschool classes for 4-year-olds is vital, write Mina Hong and Scott Menzel, but the state still has work to do on programs for infants and toddlers. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) The Legislature recently approved an historic expansion of the […]
Posted inTalent & Education
County-by-county searchable database on child abuse, neglect
Use Bridge’s searchable database to check the child abuse/neglect rate for your home county. (The rate reflects the number of reported cases per 1,000 residents age 0 to 17.) County Cases per thousand 2011 ALCONA 11.3 ALGER 6.1 ALLEGAN 17.7 ALPENA 25.9 ANTRIM 25.2 ARENAC 25.0 BARAGA 20.6 BARRY 19.0 BAY 13.0 BENZIE 18.8 BERRIEN […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: It’s past time to extend ‘exquisite beauty’ of early learning to all of our children
By Bob Sornson/Early Learning Foundation (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) Across our nation there is a growing debate. How much should we spend to support early childhood programs? How should we spend it? Why should we spend our money on other people’s kids? The debate is often poorly informed, but at least we […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Owosso’s budget woes are warning to state policy-makers
By Tom Cook Tom Cook is a member of the Owosso City Council and executive director of the Cook Family Foundation. The city of Owosso has a budget problem — and has had one for the last five years. Good management, tough policy decisions and sacrifices by residents and employees of the Shiawassee County community […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Will there ever be a good time to fund road repairs?
By Craig Thiel/Anderson Economic Group (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) A long-term funding fix to Michigan’s deteriorating road and bridge infrastructure system can’t seem to catch a break. For much of the last decade, Michigan’s anemic economic performance made the prospect of raising the necessary revenues to fund road and bridge investment a “non-starter” […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Early education funding is a win for kids, Michigan
By Jim McHale/W.K. Kellogg Foundation Over the past year, support for high-quality early childhood education programs has been gaining traction in Michigan. What began as a conversation has transformed into a movement consisting of lawmakers, parents, business leaders and communities working together to improve conditions for Michigan’s children. Jim McHale is vice president for program […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Michigan leaders recognize the wisdom of investing in preschoolers
By Debbie Dingell and Doug Luciani/Children’s Leadership Council of Michigan Debbie Dingell is president of d2 Strategies and a co-chair of the Children’s Leadership Council, a group of more than 100 business and other leaders from across Michigan. We tip our hats to Michigan’s governor and the Legislature for funding expansion of the state’s […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Policy-makers should skip Mackinac Island and visit some classrooms
By Ken Winter (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) PETOSKEY – I won’t be one of the 1,500 or so of Michigan’s top businessmen, politicians and other leaders converging for three days this week on Mackinac Island for the Mackinac Policy Conference. I cancelled my plans to attend so I could substitute for a local […]