Posted inMichigan Government

Blizzard of cash obscures bridge issues

The list of supporters for the planned New International Trade Crossing in Detroit reads like a roll call of distinguished Michigan stakeholders. Five governors. Five automakers. Twenty-three chambers of commerce. The state’s largest newspapers, corporations and most influential movers and shakers all have signed on in agreement that the state needs a new, modern link […]

Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol

Snyder’s reinvention plans for Detroit tied up in two ballot props

A local sports page reader, commenting on the lack of attention Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown bid was receiving nationally last week, lamented: “Detroit on the whole has been nationally defined in the cultural consciousness as the ashtray of the United States.” Or it can be defined as tragically beautiful, according to the publicity for two […]

Posted inMichigan Government

'Steel' ad on Proposal 6 gets technical foul from Truth Squad

MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Steel man” Who: The People Should Decide, pro-Prop 6 ballot committee What: TV/Web ad Truth Squad call: Technical foul As reported previously at Truth Squad, “The People Should Decide is a ballot question committee funded, according to available campaign finance statements, almost entirely from interests linked to Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel […]

Posted inLand O Links

Land O Links

“Data is not information, information is not knowledge, knowledge is not understanding, understanding is not wisdom” — Clifford Stoll, American author. * A study says the financial trends for public research universities – here that means U-M, MSU and Wayne State – are grim. ” Public research universities — particularly top-tier flagship institutions like the […]

Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol

Proposal 5 would take political dysfunction in State Capitol to whole new level

Five years ago this week, Michigan lawmakers were hurtling toward their own fiscal cliff as a new budget year loomed with no spending and revenue agreement in sight. A month of legislative chaos marked by a desultory combination of boredom, tension, recrimination and fatigue ended in the early morning of Oct. 1 when lawmakers gave […]

Posted inMichigan Government

Truth Squad calls flagrant foul on new round of bridge ads

MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Why People Are Voting Yes on Proposal 6“ “The People Should Decide, As Simple As That“ Who: The People Should Decide What: TV ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul The People Should Decide is a ballot question committee funded, according to available campaign finance statements, almost entirely from interests linked to […]

Posted inMichigan Government

New ads on Canada bridge carry same old problem, Truth Squad rules

MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: Multiple ads on bridge question Who: The People Should Decide What: Television ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul Questionable statement: “The bridge to Canada. $500 million just in interest payments. And with hidden costs — up to $8 billion.” The source of these claims is an Aug. 12 study commissioned by […]

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