By Christine Quinn and Charlotte “Charlie” Mahoney/Michigan Works Association When reading the recent article in Bridge about both perceptions and realities regarding our state’s workforce development efforts, we remembered advice the 19th century abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher once offered his colleagues, “hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never […]
Rick Snyder
Posted inBusiness Watch
Criticism mounts against Michigan Works
Jacora Seymore needs a job. Larry Harb needs an employee. Both have tried meeting their needs — so far without success — through the Michigan Works program, the network of agencies charged with matching Michigan’s unemployed with employers. Seymore, a single mother, who receives public assistance to support her two young daughters, fills out job […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Michigan needs productive 'midlife crisis'
“Today, the country is middle-aged but self-indulgent. Bad habits have accumulated. Interest groups have emerged to protect the status quo. The job is to restore old disciplines, strip away decaying structures and reform the welfare state. The country needs a productive midlife crisis” — David Brooks, New York Times columnist. For the past three years, the New Year […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Snyder puts end to 'moderate' tag
Gongwer just reported that Gov. Rick Snyder has signed the legislation that bars local governments from making their own decisions on whether to offer benefits to adult partners of their employees. (No link; Gongwer is paywall protected.) He did this even though he said he didn’t want the bill to apply to universities and some […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Measuring the mood in 2012
During one of the busy points of a debate over welfare benefits in Michigan, someone asked me, “What do I get out of my taxes going to this? What’s the ROI (return on investment) for welfare?” I replied, “You don’t have to install bars over the windows of your house.” That’s far too flippant to […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“The more extensive a man’s knowledge of what has been done, the greater will be his power of knowing what to do” — Benjamin Disraeli, 19th century British prime minister, author and noted clothes horse. * The New York Times Magazine visits Benton Harbor: “Between the almost-delusional optimism of those who support the redevelopment of […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Setting the stage for 2012's performance
Frank Sinatra memorably sang about it being a long, long time from May to December and about the days dwindling down to a precious few. That’s the way it is in Michigan as the darkness closes in early at the end of the day and we begin to take stock of the year that’s about […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Merger bills won't change names on fire trucks — yet
For years, officials charged with managing local government services and finances have pointed to a variety of provisions in state law they say make the sharing of services with neighbors financially unappealing. With Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature last week on a set of bills, the state believes it has removed a large hurdle to increased […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Delray neighborhood has hopes, worries for a new bridge
If advocates get their way, the Next International Trade Crossing bridge would be built with its U.S. terminus in the Delray neighborhood of Detroit, southwest of downtown and of the existing Ambassador Bridge. Community leaders and residents who spoke to Bridge Magazine about the proposal offered mixed views, with hopes of improved economic activity leavened […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Snyder team reads Bridge
Perhaps a bit lost in the post Thanksgiving haze, or pre-Christmas shopping rush, Gov. Rick Snyder unveiled last week his message and plans for upgrading the talent and opportunities in Michigan. For a complete text of the message, click here. I will highlight one paragraph, for obvious — and self-serving — reasons: “A recent report […]