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Phil's Column
Phil Power is the founder and chairman of the Center for Michigan.
Articles
Imagining what kind of candidates would be drawn to a job in a part-time Legislature
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley’s initiative would only double down on the inexperience that’s already hurting the Legislature’s ability to pass good policy
A call to public service, in a land filled with discord
Memorial Day reminds of our national values and shared sacrifice
Giving Michigan voters what they want
Instead of buying in mindlessly to either Republican (cut) or Democratic (spend) doctrine, politicians running for state office in 2018 must think about what ordinary residents want. Creating a citizens’ agenda for Michigan.
France avoids disaster, but tremors of political instability remain
Automation, globalization and fears raised by immigrants raise political stress that will only yield to leaders who can bring people together.
Among likely candidates for governor, who can unite our divided state?
Phil Power visits three candidates, Dan Kildee, Bill Schuette and Gretchen Whitmer, all likely to seek the governorship in 2018. All are smart and able, but each has yet to find a theme that can bring Michiganders together.
New book on Detroit’s 1967 uprisings; events feel like yesterday
The riot – or rebellion, as some call it – raised long-suppressed issues of race, poverty, joblessness and despair among African-American Detroiters. How much has truly changed?
Election reform critical to restoring public trust
Michiganders told us they can’t count on Lansing to handle the basics. Ending term limits and legislative gerrymandering are two ways to make politicians more responsive to all residents.
Residents are giving up hope for a better Michigan
If we don’t have public confidence in our system of representative government and in our political leaders to reform and improve, our options are pretty much reduced to chaos or authoritarianism.
Send Bridge the worst examples of bad government writing
How you can help the state clean up the best of the worst examples of incomprehensible government forms, laws or other documents.
Phasing out income-tax revenue a dangerous game
Lansing’s tax-cutting obsession is leading Michigan down the drain
In Legionnaires’ story, an example of Bridge Magazine’s mark
Bridge Magazine just won its second straight “Newspaper of the Year” award. Dogged reporting like that shown in uncovering some mysterious pneumonia deaths near Flint is one reason why.
Getting Lansing to consider our long-term infrastructure needs
Lawmakers are floating elimination of the state’s income tax at a time when evidence shows that Michigan desperately needs more state revenues to fix crumbling roads and keep drinking water safe.
In search of common ground
Bridge Magazine’s “Michigan Divided” project aims to walk in the shoes of, and find common values among, those who are different from us.
‘Fake news’ and the delegitimization of traditional journalism
Living in a post-fact world, in which there is no independent standard by which to judge the accuracy of any assertion.
Cold? Spend a winter in Alaska, then we’ll talk cold
Drunks in snowbanks, toes chopped off with an axe, and other pleasant tales from the arctic tundra.
The end of fake news
The Center for Michigan and Bridge are embarking on the immense task of developing fact-based, statistical measures of Michigan’s economy, education system, health and environment to help solve the state’s most vexing problems.
Wolves of Christmas Past
Even the coldest, loneliest holiday season can be warmed with Handel, a pet wolf and a caribou roast
Betsy DeVos’ path to an easier confirmation
The U.S. Education Secretary nominee should recommend that the state markedly improve oversight of charter schools and demand the release of private charter companies’ financial statements.
A Chinese voice on Trump, free speech and political correctness
A heavily censored Chinese media is not conducive to a well-informed citizenry. But free speech alone won’t solve problems facing the U.S.
In an era of fake news and layoffs at the dailies, you can count on Bridge
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