* Michigan is No. 15 among the states for its reliance on coal to produce electricity, according to these figures. While Michigan voters rejected a constitutional amendment to mandate a greater use of renewable energy sources for electric power, the trend is toward less coal. And Michigan is far from alone on that front, as […]
Land O Links
Posted inBusiness Watch
Factory work drives slow Mich. recovery
If there’s one thing we’ve always been able to count on in Michigan, it’s that manufacturing will drag us into recession and lead us back to recovery. And it’s happening again. Durable goods manufacturing output has jumped 41 percent in the past two years, far outpacing any other segment of the economy since 2009. The […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Construction industry sees more work, more jobs on Michigan’s horizon
No industry contracted more during Michigan’s “lost decade” than construction. The value of new construction, including homes, offices, factories, hospitals and schools, fell by more than half, from $21 billion in 2001 to $9.2 billion last year, as measured by state gross domestic product. During the same period, Michigan lost 82,000 construction jobs, a 40 […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Health sector surges, but Michigan economy still faces educational drags
Manufacturing is still the engine driving Michigan’s economy, but several other industry segments are fighting to grab the steering wheel. Health care; finance and insurance; professional, scientific and technical services; management of companies; wholesale trade; and lodging and food service all have shown near or above double-digit growth of the past two years as measured […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Flashing yellow turn lights improve driver safety
By James Lake/Michigan Department of Transportation The flashing yellow arrow left-turn signal is becoming more common on Michigan roads. If you haven’t seen one on your travels yet, you will soon. As with anything new, however, the flashing yellow arrow can be a bit confusing at first. But, as drivers encounter them more often, and […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
RTW law and referendum just won’t mix
Michigan is one of 24 states where the public can pass judgment on the work of their elected representatives via the power of referendum. But just as Superman’s foes found kryptonite could neutralize him, Michigan legislators have found their way to neutralize the referendum. The majorities backing Right to Work legislation included a $1 million […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Right to Work bills won't touch State Police
Thousands of union workers converged on Lansing Tuesday to protest the passage of Right to Work legislation. They stood on a Capitol grounds well-populated with Michigan State Police troopers – troopers who, ironically, are not only unionized themselves, but insulated from the current debate due to a constitutional provision. A spokesman for MSP declined Tuesday […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Right to Work bills revamp how courts handle challenges to them
In September, an Ingham County Circuit Court judge ruled against a state law backed by Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican legislative majority to require state employees to make an additional payment to their pension plan. It’s not the first time that an Ingham County judge has ruled against the state as part of that […]
Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol
On RTW, money talked, GOP answered
Why is a conservative Republican Legislature enacting a pro-business agenda that breaks the mold by embracing Right to Work laws? Because the GOP has the votes in the House and Senate to put it on Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk for his signature. Control all three legs of the stool and you can craft law on […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Expert’s sure Asian carp are in Great Lakes, but is hopeful for future
Asian carp are considered one of the most serious environmental and economic threats facing the Great Lakes. Bridge Magazine recently discussed the threat of Asian carp invading the lakes with Lindsay Chadderton, director of aquatic invasive species for The Nature Conservancy. Chadderton worked with the University of Notre Dame as part of a four-person team […]
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