An Evaluation of Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund
In 2005, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm launched a project intended to stimulate he state’s economy: the 21st Century Jobs Fund. At the time the state had not yet recovered from the 2001 national recession and was suffering the country’s highest unemployment levels.
After a tough political battle to establish the program and after making a number of compromises, the 21st Century Jobs Fund was created. The program was to be funded from 2006 to 2015, and in the 2013-14 legislative session, under a new governor and Legislature, it was extended until 2019 and provided with $75 million in continued annual funding.
After ten years of existence, this program has received little attention and its effectiveness has never been measured. All government programs should be reviewed regularly, and it is time for a close look at the 21st Century Jobs Fund. … more
After a tough political battle to establish the program and after making a number of compromises, the 21st Century Jobs Fund was created. The program was to be funded from 2006 to 2015, and in the 2013-14 legislative session, under a new governor and Legislature, it was extended until 2019 and provided with $75 million in continued annual funding.
After ten years of existence, this program has received little attention and its effectiveness has never been measured. All government programs should be reviewed regularly, and it is time for a close look at the 21st Century Jobs Fund. … more
Corporate Welfare’s Strange Allure for Politicians
We know that it doesn't work, but they can't help themselves
Just say "no" to crony capitalism … more
Economic Interference Week
Economic Development Week is no cause for celebration
Economic Development Week is no cause for celebration … more
Michigan Corporate Welfare’s Secret Giveaway: $1 Billion in 2016
State refuses to disclose how much each company gets
State refuses to disclose how much each company gets … more
Republicans Backtracking on Previous Good Tax Work
More holes in the tax code with data center deal
Shooting more holes in the tax code with data center deal … more
The MEDC’s Pure Michigan Puffery: Part II
Reforms could make agency more credible
Reforms could make agency more creditable … more
Will Republicans Backtrack on Corporate Welfare Cuts?
Many economic development programs receive bipartisan support
Many economic development programs receive bipartisan support … more
Do Not Assume Economic Development Spending is Effective
Is economic development a nuclear arms race?
Is economic development a nuclear arms race? … more
Mackinac Center Director of Research to Debate Lansing Mayor on Economic Development
Panelists Will Discuss the Current Political Realities and Ideology of Corporate Welfare
Panelists Will Discuss the Current Political Realities and Ideology of Corporate Welfare … more
So Long Film Subsidies
Other 'economic development' programs should be next
Other economic development programs should be next … more
Gov. Rick Snyder Signs Bill Ending Film Subsidies
State has granted over $450 million in corporate welfare for the movie industry since 2008
State has granted over $450 million in corporate welfare for the movie industry since 2008 … more
Michigan House Wise to Shift Corporate Welfare Spending to Roads
Programs shown to be ineffective and wasteful
Programs shown to be ineffective and wasteful … more
A Look Back at Michigan's Battery Subsidies
Mackinac Center policy analysts discuss A123
Mackinac Center policy analysts discuss A123 … more
House Republicans Should be Applauded for Trying to Cut ‘21st Century Jobs Fund’
The program has been a repeated failure
The 21st Century Jobs fund has repeatedly failed in its objectives, and any efforts to cut it would be positive. … more
A History of Corporate Welfare Failure: Mackinac Center Testimony in the Michigan House
"The truth is these are mostly political development programs, not economic development programs." … more
LaFaive Cited in Bloomberg Businessweek
Corporate welfare stretches back decades. … more
Citizens, Investors and Legislative Circus Poodles
We all pay a price when government treats investors, entrepreneurs and households as circus poodles made to jump through hoops in order to collect selective tax-break or subsidy "biscuits" handed out at the whim and discretion of bureaucrats and legislators. … more
Blown Away by Former Detroit Mayor James Cavanagh's Ghost
As Detroit and the rest of Michigan look forward to 2010 and beyond, it might be wise to look back at what economics lessons the experience of the past half-century may provide to guide our future choices. … more
Kalamazoo's Taxpayer Arena
Kalamazoo County wants taxpayers to help buy a new sports arena. … more
"Slashing" Economic Development Staff? Please Sir, Can We Have Some More?
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation — the lead agency in a statewide "economic development" empire — is arguably the most ineffective, least necessary department in state government. Shrinkage of the agency's staff is good news; staff levels reaching zero would be excellent news! Alas, declines reported by a recent Detroit News article aren't quite what they appear to be. … more
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation: A Review and Analysis
Video by Kathy Hoesktra, Mackinac Center communications specialist … more
A Grand (Hotel) Lesson in Free Enterprise
The International Monetary Fund 's efforts to bail out failing foreign economies with American tax dollars harm not only thoseeconomies but also Michigan workers whose jobs depend on exported goods. … more
Using Sugar to Wash Down the Pork: The Joe Fordney Story
One hundred years ago, Saginaw Representative Joe Fordney was first elected to the U. S. House of Representatives. His 24-year career shows how protectionist tariffs hurt everyone-even the people they're supposed to help. … more
Dow Didn’t Sue Powerful Competitors; He Outsmarted Them
Government interventionists argue that antitrust laws are needed to protect the public from Microsoft, but a lesson from Michigan history shows that brainpower and some old-fashioned free-market competition can break even the most powerful cartels. … more
Michigan and the Fantastic Federal Fur Failure
In 1822 the nation's first experiment with a federally subsidized industry-the Michigan fur trade-showed how entrepreneurs can succeed where government fails. … more
Corn Flakes and Greatness
From "dim-witted" dropout to one of the century's wealthiest Americans, Will Kellogg reminds us that personal and economic freedom encourage great achievement from even the most unlikely individuals. … more
Herbert Dow, the Monopoly Breaker
A spirited Michigan entrepreneur finds himself in an international trade war. He fights back with his own resources instead of asking for government help. … more
An Economic Lesson From Michigan's Early History
Michigan's early state-run railroads and canals were such colossal failures that the citizens demanded a constitutional prohibition of state-run firms. This set the stage for Michigan's world-class lumber, carriage, and automobile industries. … more
Ford Did Indeed Have a Better Idea
Henry Ford's automobile helped Michigan change the world. Without government assistance or mandates, he doubled workers' wages and reduced their hours. The result was lower cost and better quality for Ford and consumers. … more
