It’s one of the most influential groups you’ve never heard of. Born a century ago, its independent research still drives much of state policymaking.
Michigan Government
Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Candidates are gone, but economic woes remain for Trump, Sanders supporters
What happens when opposites attract? Many supporters of outsider candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders find themselves agreeing on issues, but from very different directions.
Posted inMichigan Government
The governor and the mayor: Perceived snubs strain Flint recovery
As city and state officials race to resolve the lead poisoning crisis in Flint, communication problems cause headaches and hard feelings
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How Lansing can reduce crowding at state’s lone women’s prison
An epidemic of drug addiction has swollen the state’s sole women’s prison to near-capacity, leading to overcrowding complaints. Is there a better way?
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Flint report offers damning verdict on state emergency manager law
In a blunt report putting the blame for Flint’s water crisis squarely on state government, a task force finds that Michigan gives too much power to emergency managers and not enough voice to local residents in distressed communities
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Flint’s switch to river water left residents holding the tab
Beset by financial woes, Flint’s state-appointed leaders kept charging high rates to the city’s impoverished residents even though the switch to the Flint River sharply reduced city expenses
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Breaking: Report finds ‘environmental injustice’ in Flint water crisis; poor, majority-black population given inferior protection
The task force, appointed by Gov. Snyder, finds state agencies, including Snyder’s office, were "indifferent" to residents’ concerns. The report is also scathing on impact of emergency management law. Read the full report here.
Posted inMichigan Government
The price of neglect: Michigan must spend billions on water, sewer fixes
Beyond Flint, experts say the state’s failure to upgrade its vast water and sewer systems means at least $17.5 billion in needed repairs. The cost of doing nothing may be even worse.
Posted inMichigan Government
Grand Rapids comes out of the sewer
Grand Rapids used to tremble when heavy rains fell since downpours often meant nasty sewer overflows. Today, the city rests easier after investing in a long-term upgrade that reduces the odds that raw sewage will flood river waters.
Posted inMichigan Government
In replacing lead lines, what Michigan can learn from Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, the nation’s first city to replace all lead service lines, discovered that to keep residents safe it had to replace all lines, not just part of them.