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Guest Commentary
At Bridge, we believe in listening to voices from all over our state. Got something to say? Contact us and join the conversation.
Popular Articles
Articles
Opinion | Environmental issues just got a boost. You can thank Debbie Stabenow
Michigan’s senior senator in Washington just pulled off some legislative wizardry: getting bipartisan support for a Farm Bill that increases environmental and conservation protections for her home state.
Opinion | Michigan’s lame duck session is why voters hate politics
Last-minute power grabs and watering down initiatives supported by Michigan voters erode civility and respect, says one legislator.
Opinion | Will the ‘Flint governor’ also undo Michigan water protections?
A flurry of anti-environmental bills may make it to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk before he leaves office. It’s Pure Michigan vs. Pure Politics.
Opinion | Grabbing campaign finance from Michigan Secretary State a cynical ploy
A state commission to be judge and jury over campaign finance violations would be a disaster just like the Federal Elections Commission. Mike Staebler says he knows: his father was on the original FEC.
Opinion | Here’s how to keep Michigan water clean and affordable
In a Pure Michigan treatise, an advocacy group lays out a plan to protect our water. If only our leaders would pay attention.
Opinion | C’mon, Michigan. Don’t get hysterical about ‘tree police’ bill
In a guest column, State Sen. Tom Casperson makes his case for barring communities from regulating the removal of trees.
Opinion | Outgoing Michigan lawmakers should keep hands off our schools
Michigan voters elected Gretchen Whitmer, and she shouldn’t have her hands tied by outgoing Republicans, says the former president of the State Board of Education.
Opinion | Protect Michigan’s environment by passing these two bills
Two bills that have support from the Michigan Chamber to The Nature Conservatory deserve the legislature’s support
Opinion | Bill to grade Michigan schools A-to-F is a horrible idea
The co-president of the State Board of Education takes a meat cleaver to a bill that would grade schools like they were fifth-graders.
Opinion | Gutting paid sick leave disrespects voters, undermines democracy
The Republican majority in the Michigan Legislature approved paid sick leave in September to keep it off the ballot. Three months later, they’re hollowing it out.
Opinion | If our kids get graded A-to-F, then our Michigan schools should, too
For what we spend on K-12 education in Michigan, we should get better results. An A-F ranking system for schools is one step toward accountability.
Opinion | Reversing tariffs would be a winning formula for Michigan economy
Tariffs are a national policy with huge local ramifications here in Michigan. There are better ways to help workers, says a Hillsdale College economist.
Opinion | Fix the damn roads? Sure. But Whitmer can’t control the damn economy.
Governors can do a lot to improve Michigan. But their administrations often are defined by economies that are influenced by trends beyond state borders.
Opinion | With Michigan at a crossroads, here’s a roadmap for Lansing
A series of expert reports on Michigan’s economy and budget, Great Lakes and water management and other issues will help our new governor and legislature address the state’s most critical challenges
Opinion | Healthy food access is still a need for Michigan families
One-in-six Michigan residents struggle with hunger each year. Some programs have helped, but there’s a need for more.
Opinion | Addressing adverse childhood experiences vital to Michigan’s future
The issues faced by kids affect them the rest of their lives. The best way to move Michigan forward in the long run is to address those childhood issues.
Opinion | Am I a burden on America, asks immigrant son now a Harvard doctor
David Duong argues that his family is exactly the kind of family that wouldn’t be admitted to America under new proposed rules.
Opinion | My family helped build Mackinac Bridge. It shouldn’t own Line 5 tunnel.
Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan for Mackinac Bridge Authority to assume ownership of tunnel is a big mistake, says a woman whose family has been involved with the operation of the Mighty Mac since 1950.
Opinion | I’m on the Mackinac Bridge Authority. We should oversee Line 5 tunnel.
If the Mackinac Bridge Authority doesn’t oversee a tunnel around Line 5, who should, argues the recently retired director of the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Gretchen Whitmer: Michigan needs a get-it-done governor
Democratic candidate for governor Gretchen Whitmer makes her final pitch to voters in an exclusive guest column in Bridge