Rich donors and secret super PACS are setting the agenda in the state’s governor and senate races, making Michigan’s key political campaigns anything but local.
Phil Power
Former newspaper publisher and University of Michigan Regent Phil Power is a longtime observer of Michigan politics and economics. He is also the founder and former chairman of the Center for Michigan which publishes Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit.
Posted inPhil's Column
Flush with lilacs, Michigan blooms anew
April may be the cruellest month, but its reward is May.
Posted inPhil's Column
Detroit’s last, best chance lies in current crisis
It’s going to take a long time to root out the damage Detroit has incurred over a half century. Here’s hoping the city, the region and the entire state have the fortitude, far-sightedness and patience to persevere.
Posted inPhil's Column
A chance to hear Michigan’s real voice
In an age of political microtargeting, Community Conversations show the face of Michigan
Posted inPhil's Column
Why is this lesson so hard to learn? Education should be linked to job market
Two generations of Michigan governors have urged the teaching of job skills to match the labor market, to little effect.
Posted inPhil's Column
Boiled duck, angry bear and the remorseless twilight of arctic life
More than 50 years after establishing a nonprofit for Inuit artists, a frigid return to Baffin Island.
Posted inPhil's Column
Schools must work together in lean times
As the Marshall-Albion merger shows, collaboration offers school districts the best option to conserve money while helping students.
Posted inPhil's Column
Pay for roads and college now, or pay later
Election-year politics shouldn’t trump legislators’ duty to do the right thing for Michigan’s future
Posted inPhil's Column
John Dingell got things done
For nearly six decades, Dingell worked with colleagues across the political spectrum. His departure pounds another nail in the coffin of competent government in our representative democracy, now quivering in gridlock thoroughly mixed with political narcissism.
Posted inPhil's Column
Adding your voice to Michigan’s future
Participate in the Center for Michigan’s web-based community conversations. Make your views heard. And help make Michigan a better place.