Two relatively narrow economic interests come to Michigan’s Legislature seeking movement on issues that have tied the place up in knots for years. The primary argument of both lobbying efforts to a House and Senate dominated by Republicans is that consumers deserve choice from among the options free and open markets can provide. Other interests […]
Michigan 'weak' in lobbying oversight
Posted inMichigan Government
Highland Park school crisis divides Democrats, Republicans
In late February, the Highland Park School District faced the prospect of not being able to pay its staff, even though the district receives higher than average per-pupil funding: about $14,000. The district had been spending an even larger amount, about $16,000 per student, and was out of money and options. In a matter of […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Loose rules allow lobbyists to fatten lawmakers
When it comes to ethics guidelines, or ordering off the menu, the Michigan Legislature has long set a low bar for itself. Other states bar lobbyists from buying meals and drinks for lawmakers. Others set limits on how much food and beverage a lawmaker can accept from a lobbyist in a single setting — $50 in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
The people who want to serve
The Michigan State University Political Leadership Program selects interested citizens for training in how to help their neighbors as public servants. It’s a highly successful endeavor. For example, the PLP reports that around half of its graduates are serving or have served in elective or appointed positions around the state. The PLP just announced its […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Better ideas in 140 characters or less
This week’s inaugural Center for Michigan Twitter chat on education, while it didn’t exactly melt the Internet into a puddle, was a success, enough so that we’re planning another one. Mark your calendars for March 28, noon to 1 p.m., hashtag #edchatmi. We’re sourcing the crowd to air common-sense solutions for boosting parental involvement in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Dollars many; delegates few
CFM Chairman Phil Power was riffing today in his weekly column about the growing role of big-bucks contributors on the campaign process. The boss is not going to like the latest news out of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network: “First quarter television advertising in Michigan related to the 2012 presidential election stands at $7.6 million. […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Are private prisons Mich.'s cost savior?
Michigan has shrunk its prison population by more than 7,000 inmates since 2006. Nevertheless, the state’s prison system continues to consume more than 20 percent of the state’s general fund budget. Now, some legislators are considering whether shipping some of the state’s 43,000 inmates to a private prison would, finally, make a dent in Michigan’s […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Lock 'em up and send taxpayers the bill
When Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette prescribed longer prison terms to cure the state’s crime rate recently, he was reaching back for an old belief based on the assumption that longer sentences mean safer streets. His critics and independent researchers suggest his plan would do little to reduce crime — but would drive up the […]
Posted inSuccess
In West Michigan, a promise of its own
Priscilla Silvas wanted to go to college. But like many high school students, she had limited knowledge of the road to get there, and even less idea how to pay for the rocketing cost of tuition. As a senior at Holland High School in 2010, Silvas didn’t apply for a college scholarship — until a […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Smoke-filled rooms beat robocalls
Well, the votes are in; the millions spent on TV ads and the candidates have moved on. But when you survey the results of the Michigan Republican primary election, all I can say is: “Bring back the smoke-filled room!” That’s not because of the way things turned out. What bothers me are all the evils […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.