HOW DOES THIS WORK?: Michigan’s system of road safety rules, which require seat belts in autos, but not helmets on adult motorcycle riders, is confusing. (courtesy photos/used under Creative Commons license) *It is the avowed policy of the state of Michigan that: A. Drivers and passengers in motor vehicles must be belted in order to […]
Land O Links
Posted inTalent & Education
Schoolchildren shuttle across SE Michigan, raising questions about funding, community identity
Oak Park Schools might want to rebrand itself as Grand Central Station. Each morning in the school year that just ended, 2,121 students from outside Oak Park traveled into the district for their education, filling 48 percent of the desks. Each morning, 1,004 young Oak Park residents — about a third of the community’s home-grown […]
Posted inChildren & Families
Why are Michigan’s child abuse/neglect rates so high?
ALL TOO COMMON: Michigan has one of the nation’s highest rates for child abuse and neglect, according to the most recent state figures. Child welfare officials and advocates have theories as to why, but there’s no consensus explanation. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) The number of abused and neglected Michigan children rose in recent […]
Posted inSuccess
Pipefitter’s daughter from Downriver becomes potent advocate for Michigan prisoners
WITH NEARLY 10 MILLION PEOPLE … : Each day, countless Michigan residents go about their routine business – but in the process do some far from routine things. Bridge will regularly feature some of their stories and the impact they are having on our state. (Bridge illustration/A.J. Jones) It began as a favor to a […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
FROM LAKE TO HERE: Waukesha, Wis., wants to draw its city water supply from Lake Michigan under the provisions of a 2008 compact of Great Lakes states. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) *Waukesha, Wis., located about 15 miles west of Milwaukee’s Lake Michigan shoreline, wants to draw its water from the Great Lakes because […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Preschool funding boost praised, but there’s work to do for Michigan’s 0-3’s
By Mina Hong/Michigan’s Children and Scott Menzel/MAISA FAST START: Michigan’ new investment in preschool classes for 4-year-olds is vital, write Mina Hong and Scott Menzel, but the state still has work to do on programs for infants and toddlers. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) The Legislature recently approved an historic expansion of the […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Dingell is potent reminder of true public service in this hyperpartisan era
Phil Power is founder and chairman of the Center for Michigan. Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Fortress Grosse Pointe: In world of school choice, community says ‘stay out’
GROSSE POINTE — When Dan Roeske was running for the Grosse Pointe Public Schools board in 2011, he found himself addressing a PTO group at Poupard Elementary, one of the district’s 13 schools. A woman asked bluntly about one of the district’s perennial issues. “Where do you stand on open enrollment?” she asked. Roeske took […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Children’s departure is part of the cycle of life
GOODBYE, FOR NOW: Michigan frets about the departure of young people after college, but it’s important to remember that such leavings are a typical rite, says Brunch with Bridge columnist John Schneider. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) I reared my children to be independent and adventuresome, and look what happened: They became independent and […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
5 reasons to be focused on health of Great Lakes every week
INVADERS!: The sea lamprey is just one invasive species now harming the Great Lakes – and more are on the way if unified action isn’t taken across the Great Lakes basin, argues Brunch columnist Helen Taylor. Two significant Great Lakes events happened in Michigan in the last two weeks. We should all be spreading the […]