By Ruth Johnson/Michigan secretary of state Critics and pundits (“Right to vote is under attack,” Dec. 15) would have you think that any move to review and make common sense adjustments to our current elections system is a veiled attempt at destroying our democratic process. The fact is that ensuring integrity in our elections system […]
Posted inSuccess
Know Michigan's future? Play this contest.
By Craig Ruff/Public Sector Consultants The Michigan Prophecy Contest has been around for about 15 years. Its aim is to inspire people to think about political, economic, sporting and cultural things that may happen in our state in the coming year. The late William Safire inspired me to start the contest. He would pose to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Merger bills won't change names on fire trucks — yet
For years, officials charged with managing local government services and finances have pointed to a variety of provisions in state law they say make the sharing of services with neighbors financially unappealing. With Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature last week on a set of bills, the state believes it has removed a large hurdle to increased […]
Posted inSuccess
Bridge adds second writer to site
Bridge Magazine has doubled its staff reporting corps for 2012 by hiring veteran writer Nancy Nall Derringer to the position of Staff Writer. Derringer will join Senior Writer Ron French in forming one of the most experienced — and capable — online news teams found in Michigan today, said Bridge Senior Editor Derek Melot. “Nancy […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Keep your views to yourself
From this round-up at slate.com about various redistricting reform efforts around the nation: “As for the various state contests that invite average citizens to submit their own plans, they’ve proven to be mostly for show. No state has yet adopted an outsider’s plan, even though many have been objectively superior to the real maps on […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Guest column: Right to vote is under attack
By Melanie McElroy/Common Cause Michigan As Americans, we believe it is fundamental that each citizen must have a say in how he or she is governed. It is a right for which many have fought — and for which many continue to fight to preserve. But, as we head into a presidential election year, we […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Aerotropolis searches for dollars, stability
To proponents of Detroit’s “aerotropolis,” the airplane could be as important to Michigan’s economy in this century as the automobile was in the 20th century. The “aerotropolis” sounds like something out of “The Jetsons” — an airport surrounded by a bustling city fueled with a constant stream of people and cargo coming and going from […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Guest column: Rural investments pay off via schools
By James J. Turner/U.S. Agriculture Department The academic success of small schools in Michigan comes as no surprise to USDA Rural Development (“Small schools dominate championships” — Nov, 17, 2011). Our agency has long known that rural Michigan residents are resilient and resourceful – and the most important resource in our state. USDA Rural Development […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
For $400 million, you get a double-decker rail tunnel
A freight rail tunnel under the Detroit River — nearly two decades in the planning — is nearing the construction phase, its backers say. The $400 million Continental Rail Gateway would replace an obsolete, 102-year-old rail tunnel that is too small to accommodate modern, double-stacked rail cars. “We’re really excited about it,” said Marge Byington, […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Economists pitch Halifax-Detroit freight link
Detroit could become a major inland port by establishing a rail link with the expanding deepwater port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, say three Michigan economists who have formed a nonprofit group to promote the idea. The Great Lakes Global Freight Gateway ultimately could create 150,000 jobs associated with transporting billions of dollars of auto parts, […]