Alok Sharma analyzes data for a living. In 2010, he had a client, a politician, who was running for office and wanted to know if it was worth his time to campaign door-to-door in Detroit’s high-rise apartment buildings. Sharma thought the answer might be found by running a high-rise address through the Qualified Voter File, […]
Auto rates drive Detroit voters into hiding
Posted inBusiness Watch
Detroiters pay more for auto insurance, but how much more?
To start to understand why auto insurance costs so much more in Detroit than it does outside the city, it helps to start with some statistics. First: Two-thirds of all cars stolen in the state of Michigan are stolen in Wayne County, which has not quite 20 percent of the state’s population. “It’s astounding, those […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Report shows Michigan high for higher ed cuts as legislative panel targets U-M, Wayne St. funds
Michigan’s premier public universities have no problem attracting students, but they’re having a harder time appealing to legislators. And while decreases in state funding are common across the country today, the percentage of cuts in Michigan is higher than in most states. Wayne State University could lose 15 percent of its state funding (about $27 […]
Posted inTalent & Education
‘Issues & Ale’ series focuses on Center’s public education report
What do Michigan’s parents and residents want out of public schools? Where are the trouble spots? The bright spots? Next Tuesday night in Ferndale (just north of Detroit), the Center for Michigan and Michigan Radio are convening a panel of experts to discuss the findings in the Center’s new report, “The Public’s Agenda for Public […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
* A dose of “good news, bad news”: “The average hourly wage (of the fastest-growing job category in America) is just $9.70 an hour, according to the Labor Department. For those in the industry who work full-time, this amounts to roughly $20,000 a year. Many health care aides only work part-time though — and they […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: University research alliance boosts economy, jobs in Michigan
By Jeff Mason/University Research Corridor As Michigan’s economy continues its resurgence, the three major state universities that make up Michigan’s University Research Corridor are doing their part to educate and develop the workers who can give businesses a clear advantage in today’s competitive global economy. The URC – consisting of Michigan State University, the University of […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Detroit’s troubles spreading to other Michigan cities, finance expert says
With Detroit’s recent appointment of an emergency manager, the state and the region will witness a long-deliberated and – for many city residents – hotly contested financial restructuring in one of the nation’s major municipalities by a gubernatorial appointee. Eric Scorsone, who studies local government finance at Michigan State University, discussed last week the potential […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Kalamazoo mom, daughter profit from Michigan’s home visit programs
Shauntiana Branson found herself unexpectedly pregnant — and unprepared for motherhood two years ago. Having just reached adulthood and fearing backlash from her family, Branson did what she could to find her own help. A visit to a local Women, Infants, and Children clinic led her to the Nurse-Family Partnership. Soon she was receiving regular […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
* The complaint that lawmakers don’t even read all the bills that pass over their desks is as hoary as it is true. Well, the Tennessee House of Representatives has taken action to perhaps ease the problem. No member can file more than 15 bills. “Figures compiled by Harwell’s office show that the 132-member Tennessee […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Will Michigan voters ever get the campaign finance reform they deserve?
Last week was National Sunshine Week, designed to increase transparency in government: Opening up the workings of government and politics to the healthy light of day makes things cleaner and better. Sure. Over the years, I’ve watched plenty of National Sunshine Weeks come and go, without much actually changing. So I’m more than moderately skeptical […]