The Center for Michigan

Author Archives: John Bebow

October 24, 2008 – 9:36 am

Doug Drake tried to warn us.
"Are you ready for some grumbling?" Drake asked a crowd two years ago at a statewide tax policy conference hosted by the Center for Michigan. A veteran of many state budget and tax fights, Drake raised concerns about the prospects of replacing Michigan's old SBT business tax.
Let me remind you [...]

Posted in Accountability, Clear Taxing & Spending, Economic Development, Entrepreneurialism, Fresh Thoughts, The Center at Work | Comments (2)

A transit bellwether on Election Day

October 24, 2008 – 8:31 am

Talk about mass transit trains and high-speed rail has picked up steam in Michigan's two biggest cities in the past couple years. In August, public support for mass transit was evident as voters approved 15 out of 16 transit millage votes, mostly for busses.
Chris McCarus, Michigan's roving and always forward-looking radio correspondent, reports that the [...]

Posted in Economic Development, Fresh Thoughts, Quality of Place, The Center at Work | Comments (0)

Mid-Michigan collaboration

October 24, 2008 – 8:13 am

Here's another hopeful example of regional cooperation...
"I wanted to note that Gratiot County, Michigan has over 20 local units of government working together on a joint countywide master plan," writes Chelsey Foster, in response to our post last week about the Grand Traverse region's long-range community planning process. "This is the first master plan [...]

Posted in Fresh Thoughts, North Coast, Quality of Place, The Center at Work | Comments (0)

Young Professionals Highlight Remaining Candidate Forums

October 17, 2008 – 9:52 am

The role of young professionals in Michigan's future economy, mass transit, and the entrepreneurial economy are expected topics next Monday, October 20, as the Center for Michigan sponsors an inner ring suburb candidates forum at ePrize in Pleasant Ridge. Click here for the full list of our remaining Michigan House of Representatives candidate events in [...]

Posted in Accountability, Fresh Thoughts, Quality of Place, The Center at Work | Comments (0)

The Creative Cities Buzz

October 17, 2008 – 9:21 am

Detroit hosted the Creative Cities 2.0 summit this week. Headliner Richard Florida used the event to suggest that the crisis shaking Wall Street and Main Street signifies a new era in America when local talent way matter most.
Arnold Weinfeld, the Michigan Municipal League's director of public policy, listened carefully. Here are some of his conclusions [...]

Posted in Fresh Thoughts, Quality of Place, The Center at Work | Comments (0)

What you don't know about Michigan taxes

October 17, 2008 – 8:51 am

Last week we offered just a sample taste of what we called the "Bean Counter's Ball." Many of the state's top tax experts gathered in East Lansing earlier this month to toss around ideas on how to make improve Michigan and its tax system.
Michigan legislators are once again buzzing about tax cuts, tax changes and [...]

Posted in Clear Taxing & Spending, Fresh Thoughts, The Center at Work | Comments (6)

Coming Together

October 17, 2008 – 7:32 am

Maybe it's just the natural nesting instinct as the economy falters and hardwoods across the state turn brilliant gold on the eve of winter, but we're noticing many fresh examples of regional cooperation across Michigan this fall...
IN JACKSON...Imagine a small business that reduces employee health care costs by 20 percent -- not through benefits cuts, [...]

Posted in Fresh Thoughts, Government Collaboration, Quality of Place, The Center at Work | Comments (2)

Uptown Six work to revitalize Flint

October 17, 2008 – 6:37 am

Check out a great story in Crain's this week on a group of private investors who've spearheaded more than $50 million in private redevelopment investment in downtown Flint in the past few years.
Once again, a key theme of the success is regional cooperation...
It follows a strategy to streamline government and find local, private investment [...]

Posted in Fresh Thoughts, Government Collaboration, Quality of Place, The Center at Work | Comments (2)

MDM Candidate Work Gains Wide Media Coverage

October 9, 2008 – 5:56 pm

The Center for Michigan's role as arbiter of public policy debate is gaining plenty of press coverage across the state. If you're too busy to personally attend one of our many candidate events, here's a quick glance of recent media coverage of events across the state...
Center for Michigan Executive Director John Bebow talks with Michigan [...]

Posted in Accountability, Fresh Thoughts, The Center at Work | Comments (0)

Still Time to Meet Candidates

October 9, 2008 – 5:29 pm

It's not too late to join a Michigan's Defining Moment candidate forum or watch more than two dozen candidates go toe-to-toe in online video debates.
Here's the schedule of remaining in-person events hosted by the Center for Michigan...
OCTOBER 13: SMALL-GROUP CANDIDATE CONVERSATION
Portage
9:00 A.M.
Portage Public Library
61st State House District Candidate Larry DeShazor
Call or email to RSVP:
616 460 [...]