By The Center for Michigan “As Governor, I will ensure that government is open, fair, and accountable to the citizens by making Michigan a national leader in transparency and ethics.” That’s what Rick Snyder pledged on the campaign trail two years ago. Yet last month, the Michigan Department of Human Services gave two completely contradictory answers […]
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: Elites are trying to wrest control of courts from the voters
By Dan Pero/American Justice Partnership The recent recommendations of Michigan’s Judicial Selection Task Force have been widely hailed by legal elites, prominent newspaper editorial boards and others. Yet the proposed changes would do little to reduce the influence of money or politics in the judicial selection process, while seriously weakening the power of ordinary voters […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Unfunded legacy costs = big trouble for local governments
By Robert Daddow/Oakland County deputy executive “Property tax revenues implode.” “Deficit elimination plan draconian.” “Troubled pension plan may not pay benefits.” “Pension investments crash, will cost retirees.” These troubling headlines reflect a branding that no responsible official would ever want to see for their community. They create an image that stains a local unit as […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Incentives can address Michigan's rural doctor shortage
By Rep. Jim Ananich and Rep. Frank Foster Everyone in Michigan, regardless of where you live or where you’re traveling through, deserves access to basic, primary health care. Unfortunately, a shortage of specially trained doctors and medical professionals in some areas provides a costly barrier for too many families. Recent coverage in Bridge rightly pointed […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Should the Legislature enact changes to abortion law?
A broad package of bills dealing with Michigan regulations on abortion were filed in the Legislature on May 31. Within a week, they had advanced to the full House of Representatives. On June 13, after a heated debate that has drawn national attention to Michigan, one bill, House Bill 5711, passed with 70 votes in […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Cheboygan hospital's turmoil, shrinkage part of necessary change in rural health
By Marianne Udow-Phillips/Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation Debates about the Affordable Care Act will continue — in the Supreme Court, in the halls of Congress and around the country — but health reform is already happening all around us. All we need to do is look. A case in point is Cheboygan on the […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: If Michigan prison costs are high, it's for good reason
By Jeff Sauter/Eaton County prosecutor The recently released PewCenter report on prison terms is an important source of statistical information which deserves careful study for policy use in Michigan. I want to warn, however, about drawing simplistic conclusions — which some will undoubtedly do in their perpetual advocacy for early release of prisoners or to […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Michigan prison costs far exceed benchmarks; that should change
By Laura Sager/Citizens Alliance on Prisons & Public Spending Michigan taxpayers spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on prisons than public safety requires. How? By keeping people locked up far longer than we used to, than other states do and than is necessary to prevent recidivism. Every additional month, one person serves costs roughly […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Join school forums in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Dearborn
Michigan will spend nearly $13 billion out of its School Aid Fund for the coming year. Most of that money will go to public schools across the state. Is Michigan getting the most it can out of the school investment? The Center for Michigan stands ready to help you join the discussion on K-12 education. […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Invasive species burden Michigan, region with tens of millions in costs
By Helen Taylor/Nature Conservancy Tiny mussels that wash up on beaches and attach to boats, piers and underwater pipes. Mats of vegetation that blanket lakes and take the fun out of boating, fishing and water-skiing. Tall grasses that invade shorelines, blocking lake views. In the Great Lakes states, we’ve read about aquatic invasive species such as zebra […]