The Institute for Justice, which describes itself as the “nation’s only libertarian public interest law firm, has published a new study on the burden of licensing requirements for 102 different professions across the United States. The report also developed a “burden” ranking of the states — and placed Michigan at No. 21, the 21st most […]
Derek Melot
Derek Melot is a former assistant editorial page editor, columnist and reporter at the Lansing State Journal, where he covered state and local issues extensively, earning awards from the Associated Press and Michigan Press Association. The Oklahoma native moved to Michigan in 1999, and served as Bridge editor through mid-2013.
Posted inMichigan Government
Cost of '4 strikes' plan drops, still means millions more for prisons
When Attorney General Bill Schuette first proposed his “4 strikes and you’re out” plan for repeat felons, the Michigan Department of Corrections said the additional costs to the prison system could exceed $1 billion per year by the middle of the 21st century. New calculations by the department, incorporated into a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis, […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine” — H. L. Mencken, 20th century American newspaperman. * Publius, a nonprofit in Michigan dedicated to promoting civic participation, put together a short video clip that explains how Detroit got in a position where fixing streetlights or providing police protection […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers” — Alfred Lord Tennyson, 19th century British poet laureate. * Washtenaw County residents are now short $350,000 because the county stepped in to cover debt payments by a township (Sylvan) for water and sewer work for a development that never materialized. (Hat tip to Bridge contributor Jon Zemke.) Now the […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“We do not need to be shoemakers to know if our shoes fit, and just as little have we any need to be professionals to acquire knowledge of matters of universal interest” — Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, 19th century German philosopher. * Fascinating essay that weaves through the motivations of a young Henry Ford to […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“The benefits of education and of useful knowledge, generally diffused through a community, are essential to the preservation of a free government” — Sam Houston, Texan revolutionary. A task force looking for ways to improve how the state selects its Supreme Court justices suggested the creation of an “open primary” to have voters select the […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Calley: PPT plan puts Michigan ahead of Ohio
Lt. Governor Brian Calley testified last week on behalf of the Snyder administration’s proposal to phase-out the personal property tax (read business equipment tax) by 2022. The proposal is strongly backed by business groups and just as strongly opposed by groups representing local governments and schools, which fear the loss of almost half a billion […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge which is divorced from justice, may be called cunning rather than wisdom” — Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman senator * Center for Michigan President John Bebow sat down with Michigan Municipal League President Dan Gilmartin to talk about prosperity in Michigan, along with with Gary Heidel of MSHDA, Tim Fischer of the Michigan Environmental Council […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Journalism hall honors Center for Michigan founder
Speaking before the assembled guests at an induction ceremony of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, Center for Michigan Chairman Phil Power told a story about how he got into the newspaper business. It was the mid-1960s. After studying at prestigious schools in the United States and Great Britain, the young Power had moved on […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“True friendship can afford true knowledge. It does not depend on darkness and ignorance” — Henry David Thoreau. * Bridge reported last week that a center of contention in efforts to streamline state regulations may be how the state regulates — some might even say hampers — the alcoholic beverage market. TheMackinacCenter for Public Policy […]