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. […]
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 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 […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Guest column: Michigan Works agencies fill job slots
By Christine Quinn and Charlotte “Charlie” Mahoney/Michigan Works Association When reading the recent article in Bridge about both perceptions and realities regarding our state’s workforce development efforts, we remembered advice the 19th century abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher once offered his colleagues, “hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Guest column: Communities should find tax-spend 'niche'
By Mark Skidmore/Michigan State University Consumers instinctively look for bargains — quality products at a good price. We purchase the items that offer the right combination of price and quality we desire. This principle also hold true when we look for a place to live. Potential residents “shop” for the right mix of quality and […]
Posted inSuccess
Luke columns to appear in Bridge
Bridge Magazine is adding one of the most perceptive political observers in Michigan to its contributors in 2012. Beginning in January, Peter Luke will join the Bridge site as a correspondent, penning regular commentaries and the occasional news report. “Talk about a great start to 2012. Bridge readers will receive the insight of the most […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Guest column: Voting reform boosts access, security
By Ruth Johnson/Michigan secretary of state Critics and pundits (“Right to vote is under attack,” Dec. 15) would have you think that any move to review and make common sense adjustments to our current elections system is a veiled attempt at destroying our democratic process. The fact is that ensuring integrity in our elections system […]
Posted inSuccess
Know Michigan's future? Play this contest.
By Craig Ruff/Public Sector Consultants The Michigan Prophecy Contest has been around for about 15 years. Its aim is to inspire people to think about political, economic, sporting and cultural things that may happen in our state in the coming year. The late William Safire inspired me to start the contest. He would pose to […]
Posted inSuccess
Bridge adds second writer to site
Bridge Magazine has doubled its staff reporting corps for 2012 by hiring veteran writer Nancy Nall Derringer to the position of Staff Writer. Derringer will join Senior Writer Ron French in forming one of the most experienced — and capable — online news teams found in Michigan today, said Bridge Senior Editor Derek Melot. “Nancy […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Guest column: Right to vote is under attack
By Melanie McElroy/Common Cause Michigan As Americans, we believe it is fundamental that each citizen must have a say in how he or she is governed. It is a right for which many have fought — and for which many continue to fight to preserve. But, as we head into a presidential election year, we […]