For nearly 30 years, Michigan has been reducing its infant mortality rate. Still, as of 2009, a black infant in Michigan is three times more likely to die than a white baby, according to the latest statistics from 2009. In fact, the mortality rate for black infants in Michigan for 2009 (15.5 per 1,000 live […]
Racial divide persists in Michigan's infant mortality rate
Posted inMichigan Government
Analysis: Funding arts funds state
By Jennfer Goulet Michigan’s resurgence depends on a commitment to invest in the unique assets that make it competitive. Strong partnerships, dedicated leadership and support from both public and private sectors, position the creative sector to drive spending in local economies and private investment, while attracting new businesses and talent throughout Michigan — making it […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pure Michigan credited with $605 million gain
Pure Michigan. The sweeping lake vistas. The woods afire with autumnal splendor. The powdery snow covering a tranquil field. And over each image, the resonant voice of Tim Allen. And behind these ads, the state of Michigan has spent $67 million since 2006 in a bid to draw more tourists — and their dollars — […]
Posted inQuality of Life
The costs of that "$500 house" in Detroit
A year ago, Jerry Paffendorf showed a friend from New York City how a house was up for sale in Detroit’s North Corktown neighborhood via a tax foreclosure auction. That friend fell in love withDetroit, the neighborhood and the house and bought it online for just a few thousand dollars, less than a few months’ […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Analysis: A slap in the face by the invisible hand
By Rich Robinson On one level, the vote by the Senate Economic Development Committee to defer to another day the proposed new public-private bridge betweenDetroit andWindsor looks like the triumph of ideology over commerce. Fearless libertarians who have had enough of taxation faced down every business association in Michigan. The titans of business and industry blinked. […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Bridge seeks reporter to expand team
Bridge Magazine, a project of The Center for Michigan, a 501(c)3 nonprofit “think-and-do” tank, seeks a dynamic journalist with proven expertise in covering Michigan policy and life to serve as a reporter/writer on our growing staff. This is a full-time position featuring competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits based on the successful candidate’s experience. (UPDATE: […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'No fault' and Lansing's fault
For a quick and thorough review of what the issues are in the push to change Michigan’s no-fault/unlimited medical coverage system for catastrophic injuries in auto accidents, check out Pat Shellenbarger’s piece last week in Bridge. Pat made two points that have received far little coverage elsewhere, but reflect, I think, the fundamental dysfunction in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Coming to your hometown: Fewer services
While there has been much talk in Lansing in recent weeks about reducing revenue — again — for local governments, the folks actually in charge of running public service on the city/township/village level are dealing with the consequences of previous reductions, caused either by a bad economy or state funding choices. Tom Ivacko and the […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Will they ever work again?
File this under depressing chart of the day: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/chart-of-the-day-long-term-unemployment-is-a-huge-problem—-especially-if-youre-old.php?ref=fpa About 1 in 3 of the officially jobless have now been without work for more than a year. For the context: The previous high for that figure in the last half-century was about 14 percent. With Michiganrunning a jobless rate above 11 percent — and with […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Literacy woes hamstring Detroit's revival
When Averil Dixon was a senior at Mumford High School in Detroit, the only people who knew he couldn’t read or write were his family, a few teachers and his closest friends — the ones who helped with his homework. “I was a cool kid,” said Dixon, 19. “If everybody knew I couldn’t spell or […]
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