Many of Michigan’s nearly 1,500 townships and villages are run by part-time retirees in their 80s who are begging for help. The system is frayed and, without reform, communities could falter. Lansing isn’t coming to rescue.
Michigan worker vacancies
In this occasional series, we examine the scope of critical worker shortages in 2023, from doctors and police officers to math teachers and social workers.
Posted inMichigan Government
Where Michigan governor candidates stand on taxes, housing, affordability
Gubernatorial candidates say they have big plans to cut costs for Michiganders. How would they pull it off?
Posted inMichigan Government, Talent & Education
Where Michigan governor candidates stand on schools, literacy
Candidates have made bold promises to address dismal reading scores and fix schools across the state. Are they realistic?
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan needs immigrants. Court rulings betray ideals and economic reality
New arrivals continue a disproportionate share to Michigan’s economy. Supreme Court decisions on asylum and Temporary Protected Status are not only un-American but growth.
Posted inBusiness Watch, Michigan Government
Bridge Listens Issues Watch recap: Voters face high costs, economic struggles
Watch: Bridge reporters addressed questions related to housing, taxes, Michigan’s aging population, business prospects and the cost of living.
Posted inBusiness Watch, Michigan Government
Bridge Listens: How Michigan’s next governor would fix economy, lower costs
Promising major tax cuts or speedier homebuilding, Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates explain how they would kickstart the state’s economy.
Posted inBusiness Watch, Michigan Government
Bridge Listens: How economic, affordability issues are hitting Michigan
Bridge readers say the economy and affordability are big concerns this election cycle. We break down the facts, the trends and possible solutions.
Posted inMichigan Government
Advocates: Upper Peninsula prison pay raise won’t solve dangerous shortage
A $10,000 a year pay raise may help with recruitment, but it may not be enough to keep officers working at Upper Peninsula prisons, where former corrections officers say vacant positions contribute to assaults on prison staffers.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan is old and getting older. Experts warn of looming consequences
‘The baby boom really boomed in Michigan.’ The wave of resulting retirements is shrinking the state’s labor force, and experts warn population trends could be bad news for the state.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan prisons ‘in a death spiral’ as officer vacancies, overtime pile up
Things are especially dire in the Upper Peninsula, where a quarter of prisoners are housed but nearly three-fourths of staff assaults happen and as many as 1 in 3 positions are open.