By Patty Birkholz/Office of the Great Lakes In today’s technological age, there is a documented societal disconnect from nature known as the “nature deficit.” As a result, this disconnect has the potential for unfortunate and adverse effects on the Great Lakes, both from an environmental and societal standpoint. In order to counteract these adverse effects, […]
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
Pro-bridge video stretches points on Ambassador's life, U.S.-Canada links, Truth Squad finds
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANAYSIS: “Why the new bridge is so important to Michigan” Who: Lt. Gov. Brian Calley What: Web video Truth Squad call: Warnings In this video, Michigan.gov, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley promotes the proposed bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, a partnership project with Canada pushed by Gov. Rick Snyder, who sees it as […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Politicians get big favor with IRS-backed spending accounts
By Steve Harry What are 527 accounts and why should the voters of Michigan care? I’ve been all worked up about Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero’s 527 account since September 2009, when I read an article in the Lansing State Journal by Derek Melot. I looked up the contribution and expenditure detail on the IRS website, […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'Out-of-state' attack draws warning from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Out-of-state special interests” Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution What: Radio ad Truth Squad call: Warnings Questionable statement: “We’d like to continue the private auction of the Michigan Constitution. Next up for bid is writing state energy policy into the constitution. I open the bidding at $2 million.” This statement refers to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-union 'teacher' ad gets warning from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Teacher” Who: Protect Our Jobs What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Warning Though under a “Protect Working Families” logo, the ad is funded by Protect Our Jobs, the labor-backed initiative that seeks passage of a constitutional amendment to guarantee collective bargaining in Michigan. Project Our Jobs has already raised more than […]
Posted inSuccess
Bridge coverage earns conservation award
Jeff Alexander, a contributor to Bridge Magazine who focuses on conservation, environmental and outdoors issues, is being honored by the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club. Each year, the conservation group honors journalism in three media: online, print and broadcast. “Jeff always does a great job of covering the whole story on the issues he […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'Headlines' ad earns foul from Michigan Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Headlines” Who: HandsOffOurConstitution.com What: Television ad Truth Squad call: Foul HandsOffOurConstitution.com is a website created by Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, which is working to defeat ballot proposals that would amend the state constitution. The group was created by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and had raised $340,150 through July 20. Questionable […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad issues warning on ad from 'protectors' of taxpayers
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “MI Way” Who: Protecting Michigan Taxpayers What: Internet ad Truth Squad call: Warning While the ad does not explicitly mention the ballot measure in question, it is clearly aimed at the Protect Our Jobs amendment, backed by a variety of labor interests. That amendment’s spot on the November ballot remains in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
How did millages fare in your hometown?
The 80 percent of registered voters who declined to vote in the Aug. 7 primary likely missed out on at least one measure that affected their tax bills. A Bridge analysis of clerk office and media reports found hundreds of property tax millage questions on the Aug. 7 ballot. Nearly 90 percent of those requests […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Democrats commit foul with Penn St./Supreme Court link, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Extreme Supreme Court Endangers Our Children” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Internet ad Truth Squad call: Foul Questionable statement: “The Penn State scandal was a tragedy that didn’t have to happen. Lives were destroyed because top university officials covered up the abuse for years. Child abuse victims deserve their day in […]