- The Issues Summit is sold out but watch the afternoon event here for free
- Bridge reporters will lead discussions with experts about top issues identified by readers
- Panels include conversations about K-12 education, healthcare, energy and data centers and affordability
Today is the day for the inaugural Bridge Michigan Issues Summit, an afternoon of conversation and debate about issues that Bridge readers identified as the state’s most important.
In-person tickets are sold out for the event from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Marygrove Conservancy in Detroit.
But the afternoon will be livestreamed statewide for free.
The day will feature panel discussions, led by Bridge reporters, about issues that thousands of readers identified as the state’s most pressing in Bridge Listens: education; the environment and energy; affordability and the rising cost of healthcare.
The event includes conversations about the races for governor and US Senate led by “Michigan, We Need to Talk” host Stephen Henderson, as well as a live Bridge Michigan News Quiz. The emcee is former Local 4 anchor Devin Scillian.
The agenda is packed. Here’s what’s on tap for the four main panels:
- Education and the talent pipeline. Education reporter Isabel Lohman moderates a discussion about the challenges of K-12 education with Judy Walton, superintendent of Harrison Community Schools; Danielle Cover, a literacy coach at Ferndale Public Schools; Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan and Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network.
- Healthcare: Senior health reporter Robin Erb discusses rising costs with Marianne Udow-Phillips, senior adviser of the Center for Health and Research Transformation at University of Michigan; public health researcher Dr. Deidre Hurse; Dr. Latonya Riddle-Jones, an associate professor at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and Laura Appel, executive vice president of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
- Affordability and home costs: Capitol reporter Jordyn Hermani will moderate a discussion with Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League; Timothy R. Hodge, Oakland University economics professor; Natasha Pilkauskas, professor of public policy at University of Michigan and Chelsie Wilkinson, executive director of Room at the Inn.
- Energy, the environment and data centers: Senior environment reporter Kelly House will moderate a conversation with Brenda Stumbo, Ypsilanti Township supervisor; Michelle Martinez, director of the University of Michigan Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment; Erik E. Nordman, director of the Michigan State University Institute of Public Utilities and Jeff Guilfoyle, senior strategist at Public Sector Consultants.
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