The Center for Michigan :: A Forum for Our State's Future


Conact Us
Newsletter
About the Center
Michigan's Defining Moment
Donate
The Center at Work

Columns

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 [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (4)

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 [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (2)

SPECIAL REPORT: A citizens' quick guide to key state budget issues

February 18, 2010 – 12:26 pm

If you really want to be a committed Michigan citizen, fully prepared to quiz the politicians when they come knocking on your door for votes later this year, spend a half-hour glancing over the brand-new, easy-to-read state budget presentations of experts like the Senate Fiscal Agency, or House Fiscal Agency Director Mitch Bean.
Or, allow us [...]

By John Bebow | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (9)

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 [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in 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 [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (9)

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 [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in 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 [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (8)

Time to Get Past No

November 19, 2009 – 11:50 am

I have a vivid memory of my beautiful granddaughter, Lucy, standing in front of a mirror just after she turned two:
"No," she said. "No, no, no, no."
Pause.
Then, “no, no, no, no, no.”
“Just practicing for the terrible twos,” said my wife.
She was right, of course. If there’s something two year-olds are really good at, it’s saying [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (8)

Big business ideas for Michigan

November 13, 2009 – 11:03 am

Whether you know it by its new name: Business Leaders for Michigan – or still think of it as Detroit Renaissance, the fact is that  "BLM"  is a major force for business leadership in Michigan. And  they have some very interesting ideas as to how to turn this state around. 
First: Business Leaders has two top-flight [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts | Comments (4)

Shakespearean tragedy in Lansing?

October 28, 2009 – 12:25 pm

In Macbeth, William Shakespeare wrote about "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."
Too bad the bard isn't around to comment on the goings-on these days in Lansing, where the sound and fury is loud, and maybe we have a balanced budget … and maybe we don't.
The most optimistic scenario [...]

By Phil Power | Also posted in Fresh Thoughts, The Center at Work | Comments (2)

   © 2007 The Center for Michigan. Site Map | Credits | Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement | Contact | Home