With our rich water history, fantastic coastal properties, and the tremendous innovation horsepower among our companies, colleges, and people – the Blue Economy is Michigan’s economic sweet spot.
Guest Commentary
At Bridge, we believe in listening to voices from all over our state. Got something to say? Contact us and join the conversation (details below)
How to submit a Guest Commentary
What to know:
Bridge welcomes a diversity of voices and perspectives from readers on issues important to Michigan. Guest commentaries reflect the views of the author(s), and are independent of the nonpartisan, fact-driven reporting of Bridge’s newsroom staff.
Commentaries must be the author’s original work and preferably will not have appeared first in other publications. Bridge reserves the right to decline submissions at our discretion.
We reserve the right to edit commentary for grammar, clarity, brevity or to address legal or factual concerns. We may offer editing suggestions, but in the service of making your work more accessible, not to alter your views.
We do not pay for guest commentary.
Here are some guidelines:
- Columns are usually 500-700 words
- They generally focus on a Michigan topic or policy and should avoid ad hominem attacks
- The more direct, distinct and/or intimate your perspective, the more effective your column will be
- The best columns do more than identify problems; they also offer solutions and facts to back them up
- Please include a one- or two-sentence bio, including the writer’s organization or relevant background.
- Authors must show their work, by backing up facts with links to reports or studies
- Bridge does not publish self-promotional columns or candidate endorsements
- Send a good quality, large headshot of the writer(s) as an attachment
- We also ask that, in return for publishing a guest commentary, the author(s) and their organizations generously promote the link to the published column through your Facebook, Twitter and other social or professional networks.
That’s about it. Keep the writing clear, conversational and free of jargon, and sell our smart and receptive readership on the argument you are trying to make.
Who to contact:
Email your submission or idea to guestcommentary@bridgemi.com. Please briefly describe who you are and what you would like to say and put the words “guest commentary” in the email subject line.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Coalition supporting Detroit schools a step in the city’s road back
Both the city and the state will benefit from a collaboration from stakeholders dedicated to improving education in the state’s largest city.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Chasing fads? Today’s schools are struggling too much for that
Michigan schools have seen real funding losses in recent years, for several reasons. Blaming educators for lackluster student performance is the easy way out, especially for a legislator.
Posted inGuest Commentary
A cull is a kill, and it’s an overreaction to deer ‘problem’
In saying, “Bambi, begone,” let’s remember the facts about deer eradication in urban and suburban areas. It may not even work very well.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Simplify school funding by freeing more dollars for the classroom
Michigan has lost its focus on student achievement while chasing the latest education fads and worrying about charter schools, choice, and how much money other districts receive.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Michigan must continue to hold schools accountable for achievement gaps
The Michigan Department of Education is being pressured to avoid using achievement gap data in its state rankings of schools. If we are to improve academic success for our most vulnerable students, the state must resist such pressure.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Those who can, do – and get their hands ‘dirty’ in the process
No need for grimy fingernails. Today’s manufacturing jobs don’t all require coveralls, but they do need people unafraid of hands-on learning.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Michigan should require dental screening for all children entering kindergarten
One-in-four Michigan third-graders have untreated dental disease. If we can spot disease early, we can avoid costly health issues that impact students’ learning and school attendance.
Posted inGuest Commentary
DTE’s costly strategy on Fermi 3
Michigan residents are being given little information about the true cost, possible dangers and limited benefit of the Fermi 3 nuclear power plant, this writer contends.
Posted inGuest Commentary
After two years, hard to call ACA anything but a success
More people are insured. Access is broader. New programs are being tested. And if a Supreme Court challenge is successful, hundreds of thousands could lose their health insurance.
