While the Snyder administration has reported consistent progress on pruning Michigan’s regulatory thicket, the matter of how much to regulate the liquor market has proven to be more ticklish than most. As Bridge reported in April, “The one exception to the smooth process of developing (reform) recommendations could be the Liquor Control Advisory Rules Committee, […]
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: Michigan's libraries, learners will lose if tax funds aren't replaced
By Lance Werner/Kent District Library Libraries and other organizations such as schools, police, and fire departments that provide essential tax-supported services have been working with state lawmakers for nearly a year to brainstorm ways to replace the business equipment personal property tax (PPT), if it is eliminated. Replacement is critical because, without it, the services […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan's recreational trouble spots
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is charged by Congress with maintenance of a variety of harbors and channels around the Great Lakes. However, despite the existence of a federal fee-based fund to finance such maintenance, Congress has not appropriated sufficient funds in recent years to cover all the work. In response the Army Corps […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Join school discussions in Dearborn, Inkster, online
Another school year draws to a close as parents, patrons, educators and lawmakers continue to debate how best to serve Michigan’s schoolchildren and the future of our state. The Center for Michigan stands ready to help you join the discussion. CFM, parent to Bridge Magazine, is engaged in a year-long series of community conversations on […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Tallying up the Snyder administration
Rick Snyder took office in January 2011 as Michigan faced yet another budget deficit and as plenty of citizens wondered whether state government could act with alacrity. Armed with large Republican majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, and aided by a good economic tailwind, Snyder rushed through the first six months of his term […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
State waits for Legislature to do its job on transit
By Timothy R. Fischer/Michigan Environmental Council and Michele Hodges/Troy Chamber of Commerce Our state’s leaders must stop dithering and approve the regional transit authority bills (Senate Bills 909, 911-912) before the Michigan Legislature. An RTA matters for the entire state. It would control transit tax expenditures in Southeast Michigan, cut duplicative service, force efficiencies and […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Student loan debt is next big bubble
By Evan Montague/Lansing Community College Graduation stories abound this time of year, inspiring students and educators alike with the promise of a career and personal success. Imagine starting this journey with a monthly payment of $276 for the next 10 years — if not longer. The average Michigan undergraduate student loan borrower is graduating with […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Time to play 'Moneyball' with K-12 funding
By Brendan Walsh/Grosse Pointe School Board treasurer When he proposed Michigan’s largest-ever cut in public education spending last year, Gov. Rick Snyder cited a statistic that only 16 percent of the state’s high school graduates were college-ready. “Michigan’s education system is not giving our taxpayers, our teachers, or our students the return on investment we […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Change tax code to feed starving Michigan cities
By Dayne Walling/Flint mayor In Michigan, cities were the greatest victims of the recent near failure of the economy and the housing market. Michigan is not seeing the same renaissance of returning to the city at a significant rate equal to the national trend. The problem is that all of the cuts to government here […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: What do pizza guy, chemistry guy and office furniture guy have in common?
By Doug Rothwell/Business Leaders for Michigan The pizza guy, the office furniture guy, the chemistry guy … they have more in common than you know. The leaders of Michigan’s Domino’s Pizza, Steelcase and Dow are coming together to talk about higher education. Their conversation is urgent and critical, because they all are challenged with finding […]