By Jennifer Goulet/ArtServe Michigan On Feb. 9, important steps affirming the significance of arts and culture to Michigan’s economy, communities and the lives of its citizens were set in motion. For the first time in more than a decade, our state is poised to reinvest in its rich creative resources. Viewed as luxury in tight […]
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
Guest column: AARP blasts Legislature on voter ID bills
By Mark Hornbeck/AARP AARP Michigan opposes bills (Senate Bills 751 and 754) moving through the Legislature that will make it more difficult for many state residents to register to vote and to participate in elections. Michigan already meets federal election standards. States should not impose unreasonable identification requirements that discourage or prevent citizens from voting. […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Guest post: K-12 'increase' is actually a cut
By Mitch Bean Compared to last year, this year’s gubernatorial budget presentation was a bit boring. There were, however, a few interesting aspects worth mentioning. Let’s start with the way funding for K-12 was described. The description in the budget document is that the recommendation for FY 2013 is a 2.5 percent increase, and the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Guest post: Speak out on SE Michigan roadways
By Paul Tait/Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Southeast Michigan residents have a unique opportunity to provide valuable guidance to elected leadership in Lansing and help shape how we will maintain and improve the transportation system – roads, bridges, and transit – in Southeast Michigan through a regional online survey sponsored by the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition […]
Posted inTalent & Education
The champs in charters
Twenty-three Michigan charter school campuses claimed at least a tie for a championship in one of eight academic categories in Bridge Magazine’s Academic Charter State Championships for the 2010-11 school year. Champion districts are listed in alphabetical order. Below the winners, you will find a searchable database of all charter school results in the eight […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Guest column: Silent invaders threaten our waters
By Patty Birkholz/Michigan Office of Great Lakes During these cold wintry days, you may not be thinking about invasive species. Maybe you should be. While we await warmer weather — the type conducive to walking beaches, boating or swimming on our inland seas — invasive species are being shipped around the world; they are stowing […]
Posted inTalent & Education
See Detroit's champs and full district results
To determine Academic City Champions for the 2010-11 school year, Bridge Magazine collected and analyzed data for each campus in the Detroit Public Schools. All were judged by academic results relevant to their grade levels (testing at the fourth and eighth grades, ACT results and high school graduation rates for high-school grades). The results of […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Guest post: Mich.'s campaign disclosure rules stink
By Rich Robinson/Michigan Campaign Finance Network It was welcome news when Gov. Rick Snyder announced, during his 2012 State of the State address, that he believes Michigan needs campaign finance, lobbying and ethics reforms. It has been a long time since a Michigan governor has expressed serious interest in this important area of government accountability. […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Truth Squad tackles 'State of State' speech
In Michigan in 2012, there’s really only one issue on the radar: jobs. How does the state get more of them? How do residents fill them? How much do they pay? In the hours leading up to Gov. Rick Snyder’s second State of the State Address, some notable numbers came in: Michigan’s unemployment rate in […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Guest column: Lawmakers lose way on higher education
By Thomas Haas/Grand Valley State University Bridge Magazine has performed an important public service by pointing out the state of Michigan’s near-wholesale abandonment of support for public higher education. For most of the 20th century, Michigan was a Top 10 state in support of the spectacular universities its citizens built and nurtured. Today, we are […]