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Author Archives: Phil Power

Phil Power: Bipartisan freshmen legislators need our support right now

March 18, 2010 – 10:21 am

When a bunch of newly elected state representatives organized themselves into the Michigan House Bipartisan Freshman Caucus – a first in state history – old Lansing hands were inclined to snigger.
Comments ranged from the merely dismissive – “freshman sewing circle” – to the outright cynical – “good try, but they’ll never break through the culture [...]

Posted in Columns, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (0)

Stumbling Senate blocks sensible tourism funding

March 11, 2010 – 11:12 am

The Economist, a British-edited publication generally regarded as among the world's best news magazines, ran a piece on Michigan several weeks ago under the headline, "The Dark Ages."
It was largely what you might expect — but with one silver lining. After reciting the all-too-familiar facts of Michigan's many woes, the article went on to praise [...]

Posted in Columns, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (6)

Carp fiasco shows lack of government accountability

February 25, 2010 – 8:35 am

Most of us now know there's a possibility that Asian carp could establish themselves in Lake Michigan, and then move into the other Great Lakes, potentially wiping out the $7 billion-plus fishing industry.
But this whole saga also offers some significant insight into how government works … and doesn't work.
The outlines of the story are [...]

Posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (1)

Valentine's roses for governor and business groups

February 18, 2010 – 12:26 pm

I realize Valentine's Day was last week, but I've got two extra long-stemmed red roses to hand out today.
One goes to Governor Jennifer Granholm for taking the leadership reins at last, as expressed in her recent budget and reform proposals. Finally, she's calling for cuts in state employee pay and benefits. Going against the [...]

Posted in Columns, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (2)

2010 Politics likely to get in the way of good budget policy

February 12, 2010 – 11:27 am

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
That slogan dates back to the 1960s, but for Michigan, it was never truer than it is now. Our long-suffering state is staring at the very real possibility of yet another dreary round of inaction from a paralyzed state government. This year, we are [...]

Posted in Columns, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (8)

Shift economic development from hunting to gardening

January 28, 2010 – 10:19 am

What do people in Michigan want?
Overwhelmingly, jobs, good ones and lots of them. A thriving, diversified, growing economy, attractive enough to keep talented people here and bring in others from elsewhere.
In short, a prosperous Michigan.
Whether we'll get there again remains to be seen. Obviously, the biggest factors are the dynamism and imagination of the private [...]

Posted in Columns, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (9)

Last chance to lead

January 21, 2010 – 1:27 pm

Within the next few weeks, Michigan's three top leaders: Speaker of House Andy Dillon, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and Governor Jennifer Granholm – have a last-chance opportunity to redeem their roles as leaders of this state.
During their years in power, they have tolerated the fierce and rigid partisanship that has stymied our ability to [...]

Posted in Accountability, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (9)

The shifting power of Michigan's labor politics

January 14, 2010 – 11:01 am

For as long as I can remember, organized labor has been a powerful – perhaps THE most powerful – influence in Michigan politics, most of all within the Democratic Party.
Especially in the southeast part of our state, nothing of political consequence happened for decades without the major unions signing off on it, or at the [...]

Posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (2)

Dear Michigan, please prove me wrong

January 7, 2010 – 11:25 am

As we enter a new decade, it is striking how much the situation we face in Michigan mirrors the one confronting our country.
Here at home, it's clear that the near-collapse of our domestic automobile industry is the major contributor to our present economic disaster –and before that, to the decline we have faced over the [...]

Posted in Columns, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (11)

Town Hall Meeting Report: An emerging grand bargain on taxes and reforms?

November 19, 2009 – 11:52 am

Nearly 300 Michigan citizens and a panel of seven experts discussed some of the most contentious issues in our state's politics this Tuesday morning. The tone was civil; the disagreements, while plain spoken, were respectful; the questions from the audience were probing.
In my view, it was the best possible example of citizen engagement and clear [...]

Posted in Columns, Fresh Thoughts | Comments (8)

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