Mary Sue Coleman is a rock star college president. Since being appointed the 13th president of the University of Michigan in 2002, she has been on a tear, successfully guiding the U of M to ever-increasing stature through very difficult times. The U of M has risen in reputation to No. 18 in the entire world, […]
A revolution in Ann Arbor is led from the corner office
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 inPhil's Column
Michigan universities face hostile financial, political circumstances
There’s little doubt that our universities are among Michigan’s most valuable and important assets. But real alarm about public higher education is spreading throughout the country — and threatening profound consequences for our state and it colleges. Take the case of Teresa Sullivan, a former provost at the University of Michigan and now president of the […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge is the best eraser in the world for disharmony, distrust, despair, and the endless physical deficiencies of man” — Orlando A. Battista, 20th century Canadian chemist and writer. * Inequality is growing among a sector of Americans who don’t even work: our children. David Brooks writes in the New York Times that “Equal opportunity, […]
Posted inSuccess
Are you Bridge's next intern?
Each year, the Center for Michigan selects an outstanding minority student for a paid internship with the Center’s Bridge Magazine. The Center seeks advanced undergraduate and graduate students who need intensive reporting experiences and clips to make the transition to professional journalism. The fellowship is for $8,000. The fellow is expected to work 20 hours […]
Posted inChildren & Families
Welfare reform results: few jobs, few state answers, refuge in a vacant home
Welfare reform hasn’t been kind to Tamika Thomas. Eight months ago, the 33-year-old lived in a rental home in Detroit with her four children. She attended Wayne County Community College, where she was working her way toward an associate’s degree in radiological technology that would have led to the first good-paying job of her life. […]