![[Photo of Jarrett Skorup]](/media/images/people/JSkorrup-MED.jpg)
Jarrett Skorup
Research Associate
Jarrett Skorup is a research associate at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He is a graduate of Grove City College with degrees in history and political science. He also studied economics and religion.
While there, he was captain of the Grove City wrestling and Ultimate Frisbee teams. He was a student fellow at the Center for Vision & Values, the school's research and scholarship think tank.
An Illinois native, Skorup is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears and Bulls. Besides studying and writing about public policy, he coaches and officiates high school wrestling.
Skorup is the content manager for Michigan Capitol Confidential. His writings have been published in The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, MLive, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Orange County Register, Manchester Union-Leader, Daily Caller, Townhall.com, National Review , America's Future Foundation - Doublethink and many newspapers across the country. He lives in Midland, MI with his wife, Karen and son, Grayson.
By Jarrett Skorup
Ethanol for Duckies
In the waning days of the lame-duck Congress, a bipartisan fight is brewing over federal handouts to encourage production of corn ethanol, with competing letters urging the continuation or end of these subsidies. … more
Does Anyone Still Believe in Ethanol?
While speaking overseas this week, former presidential candidate Al Gore took some questions about corn-based ethanol. So what does the green guru think about the fuel that was supposed to wean us off of foreign oil and cut carbon emissions? … more
Reading Between the Billboard Lines
The Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association says the taxpayer-funded Pure Michigan advertising "pays off in the long run." But apparently the MLTA isn't confident enough about the long run to put up their own money. … more
Tax Rates Matter
As the governor's race heats up, it is refreshing to see an occasional area of agreement between the candidates; especially when the agreement makes good economic sense. … more
Bribing Voters?
There are a lot of people who need help in our current economy, but taking from one group to give to another merely encourages the idea that government is there to provide for all of your needs rather than serving to protect all citizens equally. … more
Healthcare Corporatism
Big Business thrives off of Big Government, and as long as government is involved in certain sectors of the economy, these political favors will not end. … more
A 19th Century Solution to a 21st Century Issue
Detroit's current "light rail" system has been called a "Horizontal Elevator to Nowhere" and the "least cost-effective transit project in the last 20 years." So what's the response to this epic disaster of central planning from the political class? To build more, of course. … more
Do Unemployment Benefits Stimulate the Economy?
There's valid argument that a compassionate society with a dynamic economy should provide unemployment benefits, and a legitimate debate regarding how much and how long. But recently, some have gone beyond this and argued not only that these benefits are necessary, but that they actually stimulate the economy. … more
Granholm Group Promotes Controversial Green Activist
The Granholm Leadership Fund, a political action committee started by the governor, is promoting an event for controversial former White House advisor, Van Jones. … more
Norman Borlaug: An American Hero
MichiganScience is a Mackinac Center quarterly magazine that helps meet the need for accurate and accessible information about the increasingly complex scientific issues confronting voters and lawmakers. The magazine reflects the idea that even the most technical scientific policy issues can be discussed with lively prose and compelling visuals. … more
There Is an Endless Number of Jobs
Yesterday it was reported that the Obama Administration would be "unrelenting" in putting Americans back to work. Indeed, Congress has named this its "top priority."
However, our elected representatives (never known for their economic knowledge) don't understand that there are, in fact, countless jobs in an economy. … more
However, our elected representatives (never known for their economic knowledge) don't understand that there are, in fact, countless jobs in an economy. … more
Big Business Loves Big Government
It's been said many times before, and yet people rarely seem to understand that believing in the free-market does not necessarily make one a fan of business. Business (especially large corporations) is often willing to fight government over taxes, and yet join government when it suits its own purpose. … more
The Health Care Bill Is Full of Stocking Stuffers
It must be Christmas with all the presents floating around.
The health care bill just cleared its first hurdle through the Senate and the amount of special favors and outright bribes for powerful senators and swing states is (expectedly) outrageous. … more
The health care bill just cleared its first hurdle through the Senate and the amount of special favors and outright bribes for powerful senators and swing states is (expectedly) outrageous. … more
The Horror of It All
The U.S. House of Representatives has just posted on the Internet its health care overhaul bill, HR 3962, “To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, etc.” All 1990 impenetrable pages of it. But this bill isn’t just longer than a Stephen King novel, it’s also scarier, because aside from the title, this tome is all nonfiction. 
… more
… moreA Real Canadian Health Care Experience
The Mackinac Center sponsored a luncheon Oct. 26 in Troy where attendees had a chance to meet some of the "stars" of the Center's recent YouTube video series in which Canadian citizens describe the problems they have had with their country's single-payer health care system. Two of those individuals are Shirley McGuin and Mike Jubenville. … more
