Voters could see as many as seven proposals to amend the Michigan Constitution or state law on this November’s ballot – or none at all. Bureaucratic and legal reviews continue of the various proposals. Regardless of how they play out, though, Michigan has seen an unprecedented surge of spending to collect signatures and advance ideas […]
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
Streetcars for Detroit’s Woodward Ave. are just two years away, advocate says
Streetcars disappeared from Detroit decades ago, but a group of prominent business and philanthropic leaders are trying to build a modern version of the once-popular transit system. Auto racing legend Roger Penske, Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert, the Kresge Foundation and others have raised nearly $100 million for a proposed streetcar system running along Woodward […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad issues flagrant foul to Schmidt, foul to Bolger on election scheme
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: What: Public statements concerning state Representative Roy Schmidt’s political party switch. Who: Schmidt (a Grand Rapids Republican) and House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall. Truth Squad Call: Flagrant foul against Schmidt; foul against Bolger. In May, at the filing deadline for this year’s state House of Representatives elections, Schmidt switched parties, from […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Ad matches up with reports about Detroit-Windsor span, Truth Squad finds
Gov. Rick Snyder and the government of Canada recently brokered an “interlocal” agreement to proceed with construction of a second bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. That plan has long been opposed by the ownership of the existing Ambassador Bridge between the two communities. Said owners, the Moroun family, have funded numerous media ads decrying […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad delves into casino land ownership
A plan to build eight casinos in Michigan moving toward November’s ballot remains almost as sketchy in financial detail as the day it was announced in April. One of the key features of the proposal is to prescribe eight specific casino locations. So, not only is this a simple question of whether voters approve more gambling […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-casino claims go a bit too far, finds the Michigan Truth Squad
What: Citizens for More Michigan Jobs radio interview Who: Emily Palsrok, Citizens for More Michigan Jobs spokeswoman Truth Squad call: Technical foul Backers of a proposal to add eight private casinos in Michigan sell it as a jobs plan for the state. They promise up to 16,000 in construction and casino jobs and $300 million […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Casino plan foes overstate ballot implications, Truth Squad says
What: Radio ads — “Don’t sign away your rights” and “Casino expansion kills Detroit jobs” Who: Protect MI Vote, an organization opposing a proposed constitutional amendment that would authorize eight private casinos, one in Detroit and seven scattered around the state, ran radio ads during the collection of signatures for a casino ballot proposal. Truth […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Millions at stake for schools as Senate considers teacher retirement change
David Campbell, superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency, has been watching the debate over reform of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) for years from multiple perspectives, as a public school administrator charged with spending scarce resources, and as a future pensioner himself who will feel the effects of the reforms. All of […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Analysis: State department doesn't live up to Gov. Snyder's transparency pledge
By The Center for Michigan “As Governor, I will ensure that government is open, fair, and accountable to the citizens by making Michigan a national leader in transparency and ethics.” That’s what Rick Snyder pledged on the campaign trail two years ago. Yet last month, the Michigan Department of Human Services gave two completely contradictory answers […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Chasing the costs of ambulances
On a given day in Michigan, anyone with a scanner listening for 911 medical calls might hear something like this: “trouble breathing,” “pain in abdomen,” “swallowed something.” Some are emergencies. Others are not. In most municipalities, there is a good chance first on the scene will be a crew of medically-trained responders from the nearest […]