Who: Michael Shmina for State Representative, 32nd District What: mailer, robocall Truth Squad calls: Foul, Technical fouls and no foul In a mailer and robocall, challenger Michael Shmina makes various claims about incumbent state Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, whom he faces in the Republican primary for the 32nd House District in Macomb County. Shmina touts himself […]
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 column: Legal barriers create Michigan’s doctor shortage
By Mark D. DuBay In “Michigan gets med-school boom, doctor bust,” the author correctly points out that a doctor may not be fully licensed in this state unless a period of post graduate education, also known as a “residency,” is first completed. Under section 333.17031 of the Public Health Code, a doctor is to “complete […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Join school discussions in Wayne County, online
Detroit and Wayne County residents concerned about the future of K-12 education in Michigan are encouraged to attend the next Center for Michigan Community Conversation, to be held at The Children’s Center of Wayne County on Saturday, Aug. 4. The session, co-sponsored by Michigan Radio and The Children’s Center, will be a town hall format, […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Rules on wine shipments confuse vintners, hurt consumers
By John Wilson/Winestyr.com One element of Michigan’s regulatory framework surrounding alcohol that gets a lot of attention is the recent movement to allow direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine shipments. Such sales take place when a winery sells and ships their wine directly to a Michigan consumer, without going through traditional distribution channels. Until the last decade or […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Where will Michigan get its energy in 2030?
Michigan citizens may be hearing a great deal of power-plant technology, carbon emissions and renewable energy standards this fall if a ballot proposal to require a larger share of state electricity come from renewable sources makes the statewide ballot. Prior to that determination being made, Bridge Magazine asked representatives of a large Michigan utility and […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad issues flagrant foul to Schmidt, foul to Bolger on election scheme
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: What: Public statements concerning state Representative Roy Schmidt’s political party switch. Who: Schmidt (a Grand Rapids Republican) and House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall. Truth Squad Call: Flagrant foul against Schmidt; foul against Bolger. In May, at the filing deadline for this year’s state House of Representatives elections, Schmidt switched parties, from […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: 'Doctor shortage' doesn't affect everyone in Michigan equally
By Marianne Udow-Phillips and Josh Fangmeier/ Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation Ron French’s recent piece in Bridge highlighted concerns about the supply of primary care physicians in Michigan, today and into the future. In 2014, assuming the Affordable Care Act takes full effect in Michigan, the state’s primary care system will be further strained […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Ad matches up with reports about Detroit-Windsor span, Truth Squad finds
Gov. Rick Snyder and the government of Canada recently brokered an “interlocal” agreement to proceed with construction of a second bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. That plan has long been opposed by the ownership of the existing Ambassador Bridge between the two communities. Said owners, the Moroun family, have funded numerous media ads decrying […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-casino claims go a bit too far, finds the Michigan Truth Squad
What: Citizens for More Michigan Jobs radio interview Who: Emily Palsrok, Citizens for More Michigan Jobs spokeswoman Truth Squad call: Technical foul Backers of a proposal to add eight private casinos in Michigan sell it as a jobs plan for the state. They promise up to 16,000 in construction and casino jobs and $300 million […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Casino plan foes overstate ballot implications, Truth Squad says
What: Radio ads — “Don’t sign away your rights” and “Casino expansion kills Detroit jobs” Who: Protect MI Vote, an organization opposing a proposed constitutional amendment that would authorize eight private casinos, one in Detroit and seven scattered around the state, ran radio ads during the collection of signatures for a casino ballot proposal. Truth […]