It is essential that the commission restores the political will of Black voters without reinstating the partisan bias that has infected Michigan politics and policy for decades.
Chris Andrews
A guest author for Bridge Magazine.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Ending gerrymandering in Michigan requires more changes to maps
Every single map submitted for public comment by Michigan’s redistricting commission has bias in favor of Republicans – and therefore against independents and Democrats.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | After 2020, Michigan needs a 'defend democracy' initiative
Michigan needs a sequel for the 2022 ballot to build on Proposal 3’s democratic safeguards.
Posted inMichigan Government
Are Michigan’s restrictions on gay and abortion rights holding state back?
Recent restrictions on gay rights and abortion coverage in Michigan raise questions about whether these laws are stunting the state’s economic recovery, and making it more difficult to attract talent.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gay and abortion rights laws at issue in Michigan
Debate over gay and abortion rights has been percolating in the Michigan Legislature and courts for years. Here are some key issues and legislation that have framed the debate
Posted inMichigan Government
What Michigan women want
New restrictions on abortion ignite debate over state’s ability to attract women to Michigan jobs
Posted inSpecial report
Michigan’s 91,000 truant students: skipping school, skipping opportunity
When Grand Rapids Schools Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal visits schools and classrooms, she can’t help but notice the empty seats. More than one in four students missed at least 10 days with unexcused absences in 2011-12, one of the highest rates in the state. And some parents and guardians may not even realize when it’s […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan isn’t properly monitoring schools, education group says
Increasing school choice doesn’t help students, if the new options are bad. All too often, that’s been the case in Michigan recently with charter schools and cyber-schools, claims a new report by the reform group Education Trust-Midwest. CLICK TO ENLARGE The report to be released today, “Invest in What Works: A Call to Michigan Leaders,” lays […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Consensus on Common Core school standards evaporating
(courtesy image/used under Creative Commons license) Seven years ago, Michigan’s Democratic and Republican lawmakers arrived at a rare moment of consensus: They agreed to dramatically raise the bar for high school graduation. A two-bill package passed the Senate without dissent, and there was just a smattering of no votes in the 110-member House. Michigan […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Legislators eye changes to high school graduation requirements
TOO MUCH?: Almost a dozen bills are before the Legislature to alter requirements for a high school diploma – requirements adopted less than a decade ago. (Bridge illustration/A.J. Jones) Seven years ago, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature surveyed Michigan’s high school academic landscape and did not like the view. The state had but one […]