Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution What: “Auction” – radio/Web ad Truth Squad call: Warning This ad comes from Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, a group based out of the offices of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and formed to advocate against a variety of constitutional amendments headed for Michigan’s November ballot. The largest contributors to the […]
Truth Squad issues warning over ad opposing union ballot proposals
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“All science requires mathematics. The knowledge of mathematical things is almost innate in us. This is the easiest of sciences, a fact which is obvious in that no one’s brain rejects it; for laymen and people who are utterly illiterate know how to count and reckon” — Roger Bacon, 13th century English philosopher. * Doug Luciani, […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Going green, getting green with new mileage standards
By Mark Schauer/ BlueGreen Alliance The first Model T rolled off the assembly line to great excitement about the future of an emerging industry — and the potential for this new product to take Americans places they’d never been before. More than 100 years later, the auto industry is a keystone of the American economy. […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Forecasting a slower, pricier car industry
Cars might cost $50,000 on average by 2025. Vehicle sales in the United States may never bounce back to the levels of a decade ago. And electric vehicles aren’t likely to catch on with consumers for years, if at all. So says Sean McAlinden, executive vice president of research and chief economist at the Center […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Onekama provides test case on government consolidation
Most Michigan voters who find their ways to the polls today will be making decisions on who will run their governments and how they’ll fund such operations. The residents of the village of Onekama have a bigger question to answer: Keep the local government we have, or live under the neighbor’s? The 400 or so […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Consolidating government easier said than done
By Tom Ivacko/Center for Local, State and Urban Policy With the citizens of the village of Onekama and Onekama Township voting today on whether to merge – and with local governments across Michigan looking for ways to save dollars while continuing services – Michiganians might be wondering: Will consolidation be coming to my community anytime soon? Not […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge conquered by labor becomes a possession – a property entirely our own” — Samuel Smiles, 19th century British author. * Education Trust-Midwest advises that parents in many Michigan communities are going to be surprised, and dismayed, at new calculations on how their children’s schools are performing: http://www.edtrust.org/midwest/press-room/press-release/achievement-gaps-lurk-within-some-elite-michigan-schools-state-repo * Ohio has a school of choice […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Talk school stuff in Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Brighton
Michiganians in Grand Rapids, East Lansing and Brighton have opportunities in August to discuss K-12 education and reform in as part of the Center or Michigan’s ongoing townhall series on the topic: WHEN: Aug. 15, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Option 1 Credit Union Office, 630 32nd St. SE, Grand Rapids RSVP: Please RSVP […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Democrats slug way to fouls in congressional primary, Truth Squad finds
Who: Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidates Steve Pestka and Trevor Thomas What: Television ads, candidate websites and candidate debate Truth Squad call: Technical fouls on Pestka and Thomas Steve Pestka, a former state representative, Kent County commissioner and Kent County circuit judge, is battling Trevor Thomas, a former staffer in ex-Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s administration, to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Mysterious outside group earns foul in Genesee Co. primary from Truth Squad
Who: Michigan Liberty Project, 48th House District Democratic primary What: Mailings of “How Much Cash Is Too Much?” and “What Do You Call Politicians That Promote Public Schools for Your Children But Private Schools for Theirs?” Truth Squad call: Foul The ads take aim at Pam Faris, a candidate for the 48th House District seat […]