Search in publication News Release [Mackinac Center]

Gov. Snyder’s 2013 State of the State Address Included Eight Proposed Government Expansions, Two Limitations

Published on Jan. 16, 2013

Taylor Named New Chairman of Mackinac Center Board of Directors

Former Supreme Court Justice Replaces Olson

Published on Jan. 14, 2013

Analysis: High Cigarette Taxes Contributing to Increased Smuggling Rates in Michigan, Elsewhere

More than 29 percent of Michigan s total cigarette consumption in 2011 was smuggled into the state, according to Center analysts

Published on Jan. 8, 2013

Michigan Becomes 24th Right-to-Work State in the Nation

‘The power an idea can have when it is pursued with principle and persistence,’ says Center president

Published on Dec. 11, 2012

Legislation Announced to Make Michigan the 24th Right-to-Work State in the Nation

‘Historic day for both Michigan and the nation,’ says labor policy expert

Published on Dec. 6, 2012

Michigan Could Become 24th Right-to-Work State

‘Won’t affect collective bargaining; only takes away unions’ ability to fire those who don’t financially support them,’ says labor policy expert

Published on Nov. 29, 2012

All Five Constitutional Amendments Soundly Defeated

Emergency manager law repealed

Published on Nov. 7, 2012

Proposal 5 Likely to Help Limit State Taxes and Improve State’s Economy

Proposal nevertheless appears to allow lawmakers to raise revenues if necessary, undertake major tax reforms and avoid ‘California-style’ budget problems

Published on Oct. 26, 2012

Michigan Press Association and Mackinac Center Joint Statement on Proposal 2 and the Freedom of Information Act

‘Chilling effects on citizens’ right to know’

Published on Oct. 23, 2012

Study Finds Rejecting Proposal 1 Will Not Preserve Local Control, but Will Affect Powers Given to State-Appointed Managers of Local Governments in Financial Crisis

Center analyst: The additional powers of Public Act 4 will save taxpayers in distressed communities more than $100 million annually

Published on Oct. 22, 2012

Nearly 80 Percent of School Districts Appear in Violation of Michigan's Merit-Pay Law

Most union contracts still refuse to reward good teaching; Problem may grow worse if Proposal 2 passes

Published on Oct. 15, 2012

Proposal 4 Would Lock Forced Unionization of Home-Based Caregivers Into Michigan Constitution

Center attorney: ‘Dubious arrangement pursued for the sole purpose of allowing the SEIU to pad its political coffers’

Published on Oct. 8, 2012

Proposal 2 Would Allow Government Union Contracts to Invalidate Existing and Future State Laws

Center analysts estimate at least $1.6 billion in taxpayer savings lost annually

Published on Oct. 1, 2012

Prop 3’s Renewable Energy Standard Could Cost Michigan 10,540 Jobs, According to New Mackinac Center-Beacon Hill Institute Study

Study considers investment and costs of the ‘25 x 25’ proposal; effect of current 10 percent standard also estimated

Published on Sept. 21, 2012

Mackinac Center Legal Foundation Asks MERC to Reverse Forced Unionization of Home-Based Caregivers

Seeks return of $3 million in skimmed ‘dues’

Published on Sept. 20, 2012

Roscommon Teachers Vote to Decertify From the MEA

Analyst: "Cuts out the needless middleman"

Published on Sept. 11, 2012

‘Protect Our Jobs’ Proposal Approved by State Supreme Court

Analyst: ‘Voters now have a very important decision to make’

Published on Sept. 5, 2012

‘Protect Our Jobs’ Proposal Approved by Court of Appeals; State Supreme Court May Have Final Say

Center analyst: Pressuring the court ‘should not be tolerated’

Published on Aug. 28, 2012

13-Year-Old Entrepreneur to Reopen Hot Dog Stand in Holland, Mich., Thursday Morning

Center attorney: ‘Zoning policies can have negative consequences for the economically vulnerable’

Published on Aug. 22, 2012

‘Protect Our Jobs’ Proposal Is Not Certified by State Board of Canvassers; Court May Have Final Say

Analyst: ‘Proposal could completely change how Michigan is governed’

Published on Aug. 15, 2012

Center’s 2012 School Privatization Survey Shows Largest Increase Ever; State ‘Best Practices’ Incentives May Be Working

335 of 549 districts — 61 percent — now contract at least one major support service to the private sector, up from 31 percent in 2001

Published on Aug. 14, 2012

New School Report Card Produces 'Apples-to-Apples' Comparison of Michigan Public High School Performance by Adjusting for Student Family Poverty Levels

Study finds town and rural high schools outperforming city and suburban ones on average

Published on July 19, 2012

Ballot Petition Signatures Submitted in Home Health Aide Scheme

Attempt to grant dues skim constitutional protection is a ‘disgrace’

Published on July 5, 2012

Michigan Per-Pupil Revenues Hit All-Time High in 2011; $13,400 per Student

Districts in deficit spent 22 percent more on average compared to the rest of the state

Published on June 26, 2012

‘Protect Our Jobs’ Backers Submit Petition Signatures

‘Radical constitutional amendment’ follows pattern of failed attempts by unions to rig system in their favor

Published on June 13, 2012

Mackinac Center President Invites Bob King to Debate ‘Protect Our Jobs’ Ballot Proposal After UAW Chief a No-Show at Policy Conference Debate

Wisconsin recall results show how seriously voters take issue of unionized government

Published on June 8, 2012

Attorney General Orders Home Health Dues Skim to End

Illegal scheme continued despite law explicitly stating providers are not government employees

Published on May 25, 2012

Alcohol-Market Controls Like Michigan’s Do Not Appear to Advance Public Health and Safety, Study Finds

State economic restrictions raise consumer prices, reduce availability and limit entrepreneurial opportunities to no clear end, say authors

Published on May 14, 2012

Taylor, Huizenga Join Center Board

Published on May 11, 2012

New Law Frees Home Health Care Providers From Stealth Unionization, Dues Skim

Illegal arrangement that netted SEIU $29.4 million from the developmentally disabled comes to an end

Published on April 10, 2012

State Senate Passes Legislation to Define Home Health Care Providers as Private Individuals

Attorney: Ballot initiative to revive lucrative and illegal SEIU scheme would violate U.S. Constitution

Published on March 22, 2012

Law Signed by Gov. Snyder Confirms Legal Precedent, Protects Graduate Student Research Assistants From Forced Unionization

Published on March 13, 2012

Study Discusses Five Ways to Close State’s Badly Underfunded Public School Employee Pension Plan

Author also questions ‘transition costs’ of closing the plan and concludes legislators can disregard these at their discretion

Published on March 12, 2012

Award-Winning Reporter, Editor Joins Michigan Capitol Confidential as Managing Editor

Published on Feb. 2, 2012

Indiana Governor Signs Right-to-Work Law; Michigan’s Fragile Economy Faces New Competition

Mackinac Center policy experts available for comment

Published on Feb. 1, 2012

Gov. Snyder’s 2012 State of the State Address Included Five Proposed Government Expansions, One Limitation

Published on Jan. 18, 2012

Count of Proposed Government Expansions and Limitations in State of the State Address Available Wednesday Night

Mackinac Center policy experts available to comment on Gov. Snyder’s remarks

Published on Jan. 18, 2012

Award-Winning Investigative Reporter Anne Schieber Joins Mackinac Center Communications Team

Published on Jan. 10, 2012

Every Roll Call Vote by Every State Legislator Tallied for 2011

Individual legislators missed 1,437 votes in 2011, according to MichiganVotes.org 'Missed Votes Report'

Published on Jan. 5, 2012

Michigan Employment Relations Commission Excludes Graduate Student Research Assistants From Judicial Proceedings That Directly Impact Them, Attorney Says

Ruling allowing unionization case to proceed ‘undermines due process’

Published on Dec. 13, 2011

Mackinac Center Legal Foundation Welcomes Attorney General Entry Into U-M Grad Student Unionization Case

AG’s participation highlights ‘critical importance’ of upholding law and protecting rights of research assistants

Published on Dec. 1, 2011

For Immediate Release: Nov. 15, 2011

Published on Nov. 15, 2011

Mackinac Center Legal Foundation Files Motion on Behalf of New U-M Campus Group

370-member “Students Against GSRA Unionization” joins Melinda Day in opposing effort to unionize graduate student research assistants

Published on Nov. 2, 2011

Attorney: State Officials Should Investigate How Illegal and Defunded State Agency Continues to Operate

Although Legislature cut off Michigan Quality Community Care Council funding Sept. 30, agency continues to function, collect dues for SEIU

Published on Oct. 31, 2011

Local Government Employee Union Contracts for Every Michigan County and 28 Largest Municipalities Available Online

Assembled collective bargaining contracts will allow residents to scrutinize pay, benefits, work rules for police, therapists and ‘comfort station matrons’

Published on Sept. 6, 2011

As New State Committee Meets on Liquor Control, Mackinac Center Statistical Analysis Finds Liquor Prices Higher in Wholesale Control States Like Michigan

Hidden cost of state’s liquor regime estimated to raise prices by up to 6.3 percent, potentially more than doubling Michigan’s state sales tax for liquor

Published on Aug. 24, 2011

Center’s 2011 School Privatization Survey Shows That for First Time, Majority of Michigan Districts Contract Out for Noninstructional Services

295 of 550 districts — 53.6 percent — now contract at least one major service to the private sector, up from 31.0 percent in 2001

Published on Aug. 16, 2011

The Michigan Employment Relations Commission Unanimously Rejects Unionization of U of M Graduate Student Research Assistants

As Mackinac Center requested, commission stands by its 1981 ruling that these student researchers are not public employees

Published on Aug. 8, 2011

Mackinac Center Legal Foundation Seeks to Prevent Illegal Unionization of U of M Graduate Student Research Assistants

Proposed unionization involves same union, university employer and group of students that MERC rejected before

Published on July 28, 2011

Case Ends; Forced Unionization Still a Threat

Attorney: Policymakers should ensure it can't happen again, end similar scheme affected home health care providers

Published on July 15, 2011

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