It wasn’t a revolution — but it just might signify a sea change. I’m referring to the results of the Nov. 8 off-year elections, which were anxiously scrutinized for possible indicators of public mood. Would that message be a continuation of 2010’s sharp tilt to the Tea Party-driven right — or a cautionary tale about […]
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
Moroun's 'victory' is loss for everyone
Last week, I received a torrent of comment on my column about the astounding efforts by Manuel J. “Matty” Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge, to block a new bridge over the Detroit River, which would provide competition to his very profitable monopoly. Virtually every corporate interest and political leader wants the new bridge, which […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Moroun's money writes sad tale for state
You might not think finger-pointing could make a sound of its own, but it does. High, thin and very penetrating. And it could be heard all over Lansing after last week’s vote in the Senate Economic Development Committee sunk — at least temporarily — the much-debated project to build another bridge connecting Detroit with Canada. […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Two movements, one core
To most observers, the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movements could not be more different. The right-of-center Tea Party tends to be tightly focused on taxes and the size and intrusiveness of government. And it has been steadily growing in power, driving its parent Republican Party to the right. It’s a movement with […]
Posted inPhil's Column
It's time to invest in Michigan Inc.
The dwindling Lansing press corps experienced a brief tremble of excitement last week when Gov. Rick Snyder indicated he might not run for re-election if he completes his agenda in four years. “Report: Snyder may not seek re-election if agenda complete,” headlined the Detroit News, quoting the Michigan Information and Research Service, (MIRS) a capital-based […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Behind good policy is good research
The other day, suitably fitted with required jacket and necktie, I made my way to the Detroit Athletic Club for the 95th annual meeting of the best-respected — and least-known — institutions in our state: the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. CRC is one of Michigan’s crown jewels. If you aren’t familiar with it, you […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Important news about your 'life'
When I was running my newspaper company back in the go-go 1980s and ’90s, finding and hiring good talent was tough — especially at the wages we could afford. Michigan’s economy was on a roll. The auto companies were hiring everybody in sight. Employers were fighting to recruit talented people, and the newspaper business was […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Frayed political culture is frightening
In the days after Sept. 11, our nation came together in a way it hadn’t in years, in common shock and anger and resolution. Strangers greeted each other while standing in line at the supermarket. Families reached out to hold each other in grief and gratitude for safe passage. Partisan quarrels that had seemed earth-shaking […]
Posted inPhil's Column
We must protect 'Michigan, Our Michigan'
(Originally published Aug. 25, 2011) The Latin motto on the state of Michigan’s great seal — “Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice”– says it all. Translation: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.“ And it is a great — no, perfect — set-up for all the wonderful “PureMichigan” TV commercials extolling the beauties of […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Voters shut out on redistricting
(Originally published June 29, 2011) Every decade, the law requires every state to redraw every legislative and congressional district to reflect changes in population discovered by the Census. The cycle’s process is about at its end, with maps for both Congress and Michigan’s Senate and House districts now being rushed through the Legislature before its […]