Tom Gantert, Senior Capitol Correspondent [Mackinac Center]

Tom Gantert is senior capitol correspondent for Michigan Capitol Confidential, a daily news site of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

When Gantert arrived at Capitol Confidential in February 2010, he already had extensive experience as a journalist, having worked for more than 20 years at Michigan daily newspapers, including The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Lansing State Journal and Ann Arbor News. Gantert also served a four-month stint at USA Today as part of a Gannett Corporation loaner program. In 2008, Gantert was The Ann Arbor News writer of the year, and in September 2009, he founded Reporting Michigan, a nonprofit news Web site.

Gantert holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. He has two sons and lives in Jackson, Mich.

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Teacher Upset She Can't Retire at 47

Published on April 18, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

U-M, MSU Spent Nearly $2 Million Each On Football Bowl Game Trips

Published on April 17, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

1,200 Hours To Be a Lawyer, But 2,000 To Be a Barber

Published on April 16, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

A Tale of Two Districts: Responding To Severe Fiscal Problems

Published on April 13, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

The Business Lesson of Pfizer and Ann Arbor

Published on April 9, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Video Shows President Obama, Top Politicians Praising Failed Green Company

Published on April 5, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Education Budget Tightened, Alarmist Predictions Fail To Materialize

Published on April 5, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Green Eyeshadow On Red Ink: 'Green' Jobs Fail To Live Up To The Hype

Published on April 4, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

MEA's Underpaid Teacher Claims Don't Fit With The Facts

Published on April 3, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Are Teachers With Master's Degrees Forced To Take Food Stamps?

Published on April 2, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Bill Would Require CEOs Get Drug Tested If Company Gets Loans, Grants Or Tax Credits From State

Published on March 29, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Creative Arts: Exaggerated Teacher Union Claims Not Supported By The Facts

Published on March 27, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Populist 'Free Gas' Bill Comes At A High Cost

Published on March 26, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Some Unions Still Battling Governor's Reforms; Taxpayers Left Holding the Bill

Published on March 24, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

How Miserable Are Teachers?

Published on March 21, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Sen. Debbie Stabenow Named 'Porker of the Month'

Published on March 21, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

University of Michigan Spends $129K To Produce a Degree

Published on March 20, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Michigan Public School Employees Pay For One of the Country's Richest Unions

Published on March 13, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Commentary: Pegging 10th Grade Students Politically Unnecessary And Inappropriate

Published on March 9, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Michigan Public Schools $19.7 Billion In Debt

Published on March 8, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Limbaugh Uproar Overshadows Real Problems With Obamacare

Published on March 7, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Exports Critical For Michigan's Recovery

Published on March 6, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Overhaul Of Highland Park School District On The Horizon

Published on March 5, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Highland Park Schools Get State Bailout — Already Receive $14,000 Per Student

Published on March 2, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Earning More Than Your Boss: Dearborn Lieutenant Makes More Than Chief of Police, Mayor

Published on Feb. 29, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

'Consensus' on Global Warming is a Manmade Concept

Published on Feb. 25, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Subsidized Green Energy Company Struggles, Lays Off Workers — Rewards Top Executives

Published on Feb. 23, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Unemployment Rate Not as Rosy as It Appears

Published on Feb. 21, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Unplugged: 'Educators-Know-Best' Video Clip Ordered Taken Down

Published on Feb. 20, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Despite Deficit, Some Dearborn Top Officials Got Boosts in Pay

Published on Feb. 20, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

High Costs Force School District to Drop Union-Connected Health Plan

Published on Feb. 17, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Illinois Woman Charged With Making Death Threats Against Mackinac Center

Published on Feb. 15, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Unemployment Rate Dropping But 'Disturbing Trend' As Number of People Receiving Food Assistance Skyrockets

Published on Feb. 11, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Elementary Students Forced to Write Advocacy Letters to Governor Criticizing Education Cuts

Published on Feb. 10, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Benefit Costs Sunk Benton Harbor's Finances

Published on Feb. 8, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Rosy Solar Jobs Projections Fail To Live Up To the Hype

Published on Feb. 7, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Projections vs. Reality — Should Politicians Make Job Creation Claims?

Published on Feb. 4, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Taxpayer Costs For Average State Employee Increased From $79K in 2001 to $95K in 2011

Published on Feb. 3, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Dems' Plan: Scale Back Select Corporate Tax Credits They Already Voted For

Published on Jan. 31, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Is Congressman Ron Paul Supporting Select Energy Subsidies?

Published on Jan. 30, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Helping Districts Deal With Deficits

Published on Jan. 27, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Teacher Contract Specifics Part of Strike Action Plan?

Published on Jan. 25, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Teachers' Union Manual Shows How to Organize Illegal Strikes, Use Children During Bargaining

Published on Jan. 24, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

School District: Spending Up, Revenue Up, Red Ink Up — Wants More Money

Published on Jan. 23, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Township Board Votes Unanimously to Exempt Employees From State Law, Continue Paying Nothing For Health Insurance

Published on Jan. 19, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Reality Check: Who Is to Blame For School Deficits?

Published on Jan. 16, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Teachers' Union: Many Members Conservative; Overwhelmingly Funds 'Progressive' Groups

Published on Jan. 14, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

District Refuses to Sell Unused Building to Public Charter School — Despite Receiving $250K Asking Price

Published on Jan. 12, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

How Long Is Too Long For Unemployment Benefits?

Published on Jan. 10, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

University of Michigan: More Staff, Higher Revenue, Higher Pay ... Wants More Money From Taxpayers

Published on Jan. 6, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

State Spending: Up, Up and Away

Published on Jan. 3, 2012 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Are Michigan's Emergency Financial Managers Overpaid?

Published on Dec. 31, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

While Increased Regulations Shut Down Coal Plants, Energy Costs Skyrocket

Published on Dec. 30, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

2011 in Review: What the Legislature Didn't Get Done

Published on Dec. 29, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Rejecting Obamacare: Why the Legislature Defunded the State Health Exchange

Published on Dec. 27, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Can Schools Require Students To Purchase Wireless Devices?

Published on Dec. 26, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

HBO Cancels Taxpayer-Supported 'Hung'

Published on Dec. 22, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Will Unions Take Over Charter Public Schools?

Published on Dec. 22, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Chevy Volt Costing Taxpayers Up to $250K Per Vehicle

Published on Dec. 21, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

TV Reality Check: 'NCIS' Is All Wet on Public-Sector Salaries

Published on Dec. 20, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Teachers in Conventional Public Schools Earn More Than Prison Teachers

Published on Dec. 19, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

The $100K-Plus Employees in Michigan's Prison System

Published on Dec. 17, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Michigan Experiences Largest Drop in Unemployment Rate On Record

Published on Dec. 15, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Mandating 'Good Samaritans'

Published on Dec. 14, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Township Board Creates New Tax Rather Than Trim 'Ridiculously Generous' Benefits

Published on Dec. 13, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Prison Guards vs. Teachers: Who Is Worth More?

Published on Dec. 12, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Superintendent Uses School Email List For Politics

Published on Dec. 9, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Profiting As Nonprofits: Schools Provide 'Lucrative' Pay and Benefits Despite Status

Published on Dec. 6, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Inaccurate Claims Buoy Attacks On Charter Public Schools

Published on Dec. 5, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Hollywood Grinch: Michigan Taxpayers Give 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas' Millions

Published on Dec. 2, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Superintendents' Letter About Charter Schools 'Incredibly Misleading'

Published on Nov. 29, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Scientists Skeptical Of New UN Report

Published on Nov. 26, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Teachers Choose Union Health Plan, Now Pay Up To 37.5 Percent Of Premiums

Published on Nov. 23, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Moore Wants More: Filmmaker Wants Increased Funds For Flint Schools But District Spends 'More Money Than Ever'

Published on Nov. 22, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Choice For Me But Not For Thee?

Published on Nov. 21, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

31 Gym Teachers Earn More Than Town Police Chief

Published on Nov. 18, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Public School District 'Strikes Out' on Criticism of Charter Public Schools

Published on Nov. 16, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Supreme Court Will Decide Obamacare, Legal Experts Split on Predictions

Published on Nov. 15, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Growing Push to End All Energy Subsidies

Published on Nov. 14, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Checking the Numbers on Michigan's Auto Jobs

Published on Nov. 11, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

How Much of Michigan's Troubles Can Be Blamed on the Auto Industry?

Published on Nov. 11, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Inflated Jobs Numbers Cost Michigan Taxpayers $7.7 Million

Published on Nov. 9, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Many Michigan Public Employees Among Country's Top Wage Earners

Published on Nov. 7, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Economist: Top 1 Percent Not 'Private Club'

Published on Nov. 4, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Risky Combination: Smoking Ban and Bowling Shoes

Published on Nov. 4, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

From Each According to His Ability to Each According to His Need

Published on Nov. 2, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Occupy ... Government Union Offices?

Published on Nov. 1, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Physics vs. Phys Ed: Regardless of Need, Schools Pay the Same

Published on Oct. 30, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Mythbusted: Overcrowding in Detroit Classrooms

Published on Oct. 26, 2011

Energy Experts Say EPA Regs Will Shut Down Coal Plants

Published on Oct. 25, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Royal Oak Schools: Buses or Cadillac Health Care?

Published on Oct. 24, 2011

Should Michigan Taxpayers Have Been Forced to Spend $30 Million on 'Iron Man 3'?

Published on Oct. 23, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Sen. Harry Reid Misreads Facts on Public/Private Job Losses

Published on Oct. 19, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Sun Not Shining on State Solar Subsidies

Published on Oct. 18, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Amtrak Subsidies vs. Megabus Private Enterprise

Published on Oct. 17, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Debate: Could Union Costs Be Pricing Michigan Out of Auto Jobs?

Published on Oct. 13, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Prediction of 'Unprecedented' School Cuts Results in Fewer than 5 Teacher Layoffs

Published on Oct. 11, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Cash Can’t Be King in Face of Michigan’s ‘Massive’ Job Loss

Published on Oct. 10, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Democratic Proposal: Charter Public Schools Must Outperform Conventional School Test Scores by 20 Percent

Published on Oct. 9, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential

Should Schools Across the State Have a Uniform Pay Scale?

Published on Oct. 7, 2011 – Michigan Capitol Confidential