Marquette Mayor Tom Baldini never forgot his roots and nourished the soil that rooted him
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 inThe Center for Michigan
A heartfelt thanks
Thanks so much to all our readers who supported Bridge in 2017.
Posted inPhil's Column
Sander Levin and a family’s good name
America’s reserve of thoughtful, decent and able politicians continues its seemingly remorseless decline.
Posted inPhil's Column
Singing Christmas carols in an age of narrow sectarianism
Our national culture trumps political correctness every time.
Posted inPhil's Column
Help Bridge Magazine deliver the facts in 2018 elections
Bridge is expanding watchdog coverage of the capitol, fact-checking political ads, and adding unbiased environmental reporting. Your support is critical to our nonpartisan mission.
Posted inPhil's Column
Michigan GOP to invasive species: Welcome to the Great Lakes
The Republican-led Legislature just passed a bill that would make it easier for oceangoing vessels to dump ballast water (along with invasive species) into the Great Lakes. Will Gov. Snyder sign it?
Posted inPhil's Column
U-M leading drive to cut opioids given after surgery
The University of Michigan Medical School is teaming with public health officials and insurers to curtail doctors who overprescribe opioids for pain, leading to addiction and abuse.
Posted inPhil's Column
With the passing of Peter Pratt, the loss of a good and great man
His premature death leaves a sadly diminished group of Michigan leaders devoted to nonpartisan ideas for improving our state’s future.
Posted inPhil's Column
The Michigan Board of Education must go
The politically elected, eight-member board, however well meaning and thoughtful, makes it more difficult to establish accountability for Michigan’s sprawling public school system.
Posted inPhil's Column
Finding a solution to gerrymandering in Michigan
A U.S. Supreme Court case could lead to a profound upheaval in both political parties’ ability to act out their parochial and selfish political impulses.