MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: Multiple ads on bridge question Who: The People Should Decide What: Television ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul Questionable statement: “The bridge to Canada. $500 million just in interest payments. And with hidden costs — up to $8 billion.” The source of these claims is an Aug. 12 study commissioned by […]
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 inMichigan Government
Democrats slip up on couple of points about Bolger, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “End Jase Bolger’s Reign” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Web video Truth Squad call: Foul. Michigan Democrats have ramped up attacks on the House Republican speaker since revelation of a secretive scheme between Bolger and Grand Rapids House Democrat Roy Schmidt to have Schmidt file as a Republican minutes before the […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: A small town keeps growing its own
By Maurita Holland When Roger Chard steps onto the stage to sing and I take the piano bench in southeastern Michigan, the audience generally numbers in the hundreds. This month, we will perform in my hometown, Manistique, for about 30 people. The attendees, enticed by the promise of Swedish desserts and coffee, along with an […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Education talks set for GR, Novi, Birmingham, Novi
Michiganians from Grand Rapids to Birmingham, Novi to Flint have opportunities in September and October to discuss K-12 education and reform as part of the Center for Michigan’s ongoing townhall series on the topic: WHEN: Sept. 11, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Dickinson Elementary, 448 Dickinson St., SE, Grand Rapids RSVP: Nan Evans — […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats get fouls for some 'hits' on Hoekstra, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Hoekstra’s Greatest Hits” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Internet ad Truth Squad call: Fouls Questionable statement: “Restricting Women’s Access to Health Care … (Pete) Hoekstra wants to ban birth control & allow insurance companies to deny coverage for mammograms & pre-natal tests.” The Michigan Democratic Party ad criticizing Republican U.S. Senate […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Children 'maimed' as Michigan chases latest biz fix for schools
By Scott Baker In late spring, Bridge Magazine looked at data on college readiness in Michigan. It prompted a question: Did the data analyzed by Bridge Magazine take into account poverty levels and their negative impact on student achievement? There are reams of research (i.e. Berliner 2009, Turkheimer 2003) demonstrating this. How will (another) new […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on nonprofit's ad criticizing Stabenow's record
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “What if Congress got medals?” Who: The American Future Fund What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Foul and technical foul The American Future Fund is a 501(c)4 focusing on issue advocacy “designed to effectively communicate conservative and free market ideals.” A lenghty report from ProPublica earlier this month (http://www.propublica.org/article/how-nonprofits-spend-millions-on-elections-and-call-it-public-welfare) detailed how these 501(c)4s […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: IRS lets 'social welfare' nonprofits pour big bucks into politics
By Rich Robinson/Michigan Campaign Finance Network ProPublica (“How nonprofits spend millions on elections and call it public welfare“) recently detailed how the federal tax code is exploited to conceal the identities of the biggest spenders in Campaign 2012. Today’s political social welfare organizations exist mostly to drive election outcomes. That is an uneasy fit with […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: A guide to the Michigan world of rail
By Aarne Frobom/MDOT Two generations of Michigan travelers have grown up without riding — and maybe without even seeing – a rail transit vehicle. Passenger trains and trolley cars passed out of use in most places 40 to 60 years ago. Now these vehicles are being talked about again, but with names like high-speed rail […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Education talks slated for East Lansing, Novi, Dexter, Grand Rapids
Michiganians in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Dexter and Novi have opportunities in September to discuss K-12 education and reform as part of the Center for Michigan’s ongoing townhall series on the topic: WHEN: Sept. 7, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. WHERE: MEA Offices, 3rd floor, 1216 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing RSVP: Barbara Bonsignore, Michigan For […]