POSITIVE TREND: In 2012, the number of fatalities on Michigan roads was 26 percent less than the number in 2002 – even though the number of miles driven was basically the same for both years. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) *Illinois became the 50th state to legalize the carrying of concealed weapons. As of […]
Illinois
Posted inTalent & Education
Land O Links
* The Nation rounds up data on why U.S. children struggle in comparisons with youth in other industrialized nations: “In one long-term study of roughly 200 children born into poverty in Minnesota, the quality of the mother-child relationship during the first three and a half years of life strongly predicted whether the child would drop […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-Proposal 3 ads earn foul from Michigan Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: Pro-Proposal 3 ads “Choice” and “Afford” Who: Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs What: TV/Web ads Truth Squad call: Foul Proposal 3 would create an amendment to the Michigan Constitution a requirement that 25 percent of the state’s electrical power come from renewable sources by 2025, with certain caveats. The primary proponent group […]
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 […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“I find that a great part of the information I have, was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way” — Franklin P. Adams, early 20th century American writer. * Illinois’ governor may call a special session of the Legislature to deal with public pension programs. Bridge’s coverage on Michigan’s pension […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Teacher pension gaps pop up around Great Lakes
As dire as conditions are for the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System, be advised it could be worse. Just look at Illinois. Across the country, pension funds are suffering from the same confluence of factors, including rising health-care costs, falling returns on investment, lax oversight and more. It is very difficult to directly compare […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Perks are the point in 'amenity-driven' growth
When Dawn Barry and her husband, Mark, decided to sell their townhouse and buy a house eight years ago, they had a few criteria common to couples in their early 30s. It had to be affordable on their teacher salaries, located in a safe neighborhood with good schools for the children they planned to have […]
Posted inChildren & Families
Don't count out early education
(Originally published Feb. 3, 2011) By Susan J. Demas How’s this for a contrast? Last year, the Early Childhood Investment Corp. (ECIC) released a study showing that Michigan’s budget saves a whopping $805 million because of pre-K programs. And yet in fiscal 2010, Michigan was among the 17 states that put their programs on the […]