One of the persistently enraging things about the workings of government is how often we see multiple disconnects between what we all know and what it does. Now that it’s back to school time, we can see these disconnects plainly. Example No. 1: It is beyond dispute that children learn the quickest and best from birth […]
Michigan has its education funding system backwards
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on nonprofit's ad criticizing Stabenow's record
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “What if Congress got medals?” Who: The American Future Fund What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Foul and technical foul The American Future Fund is a 501(c)4 focusing on issue advocacy “designed to effectively communicate conservative and free market ideals.” A lenghty report from ProPublica earlier this month (http://www.propublica.org/article/how-nonprofits-spend-millions-on-elections-and-call-it-public-welfare) detailed how these 501(c)4s […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Stirring the pot for Detroit development
One came with a poster-sized drawing of the television studio he wants to build. Another distributed a map of a light-rail system – a fantasy system, to be sure – covering much of Southeast Michigan. A third spoke of her plan to put addicts on the road to recovery via horticulture. And the last had […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Without knowledge action is useless and knowledge without action is futile” — Abu Bakr, seventh-century Islamic political leader. * The invaluable Citizens Research Council of Michigan did a two-year study of teacher training, retention and cost issues. The report was released this summer. One of its concluding points: “Teachers are now also facing increased risk of […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: IRS lets 'social welfare' nonprofits pour big bucks into politics
By Rich Robinson/Michigan Campaign Finance Network ProPublica (“How nonprofits spend millions on elections and call it public welfare“) recently detailed how the federal tax code is exploited to conceal the identities of the biggest spenders in Campaign 2012. Today’s political social welfare organizations exist mostly to drive election outcomes. That is an uneasy fit with […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: A guide to the Michigan world of rail
By Aarne Frobom/MDOT Two generations of Michigan travelers have grown up without riding — and maybe without even seeing – a rail transit vehicle. Passenger trains and trolley cars passed out of use in most places 40 to 60 years ago. Now these vehicles are being talked about again, but with names like high-speed rail […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Education talks slated for East Lansing, Novi, Dexter, Grand Rapids
Michiganians in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Dexter and Novi have opportunities in September to discuss K-12 education and reform as part of the Center for Michigan’s ongoing townhall series on the topic: WHEN: Sept. 7, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. WHERE: MEA Offices, 3rd floor, 1216 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing RSVP: Barbara Bonsignore, Michigan For […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Green gunk visits Mich.’s ‘most beautiful place’
EMPIRE — Ron Long recently visited one of his favorite beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, only to find it marred by dark green algae that clouded the water and piled up on the sand. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen this beach — and I’ve been coming here for 50 years. It’s […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Savior of Jazz Festival sees better times for Detroit
Gretchen Valade is known in Detroit cultural circles as the philanthropist whose intercession — $15 million worth and counting — saved the city’s Labor Day weekend jazz festival in 2005. Fewer know that Valade, heiress to the Carhartt clothing fortune, is as busy in her ninth decade as she’s ever been, playing a role in […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House – with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone” — John F. Kennedy. * The way people speak around the Great Lakes is diverging from the rest of North America. “‘(T)he starkest […]