Forced Telephone Competition Remains a Misregulated Dream
A third set of FCC rules governing competition in local telephone service have been struck down by federal courts. … more
Michigan Cannot Afford Tuition Grant Program
Gov. Granholm's plan to end $65 million in subsidies for private college tuition is precisely the type of restraint needed to close the state's $1.3 billion budget deficit. … more
More Money Isn't Guarantee of Better County Education
The Ingham Intermediate School District--which is asking voters for a tax increase--spends more than the state average on education, but delivers average or below average results. … more
Terrorism: The Next Generation
Senior Fellow in Education Policy Andrew J. Coulson explains what America can do to stem the tide of radical Islamist education in Pakistan. … more
Michigan Education Digest
Philanthropist Robert Thompson; Minority graduation rate; Advanced placement courses, and more. … more
Telecom Victory: Regs Get Slapped Down
The courts have struck down the FCC's latest raft of telecom rules, which would have resulted in 50 different sets of regulations. … more
The Trade Deficit: Much Ado About Nothing
Worrying over America's trade deficit is about as silly as a head of household becoming upset over his family's "trade deficit" with J.C. Penny. … more
Michigan's Poor: How Much Do Numbers Alone Really Tell Us?
Because the picture of "the poor" drawn for us by the government relies almost exclusively on numbers, Americans are routinely misled as to the true condition of poor people. … more
Privatize the University of Michigan
One way U of M could solve its budget and political woes with Lansing would be to officially become a private university. … more
Michigan Consumers Will Lose if the Legislature Fixes Gas Prices
The "urban legend" of predatory pricing has Michigan lawmakers ready to impose price controls on gasoline. … more
Granholm Would Resurrect Michigan's Un-Dead Death Tax
If Gov. Granholm's proposal for a new 5 percent estate tax passes, Michigan could miss out on a host of economic benefits from the federal phase-out of the tax. … more
Civil Society Working in Northville
The state government was ready to abandon a petting farm that burned a year ago, until "civil society" stepped in to save it. … more
Senate Majority Leader Sharply Condemns Agency Regulatory Power
In debate over new environmental rules, Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, condemns the practice of granting legislative powers to executive agency bureaucrats. … more
Organs Should Be Freely Given, Not Taken by State
The Detroit News cites Mackinac Center research in support of a private-sector way to solve the organ donation crisis. … more
High School Fiddlers' Group Goes Private
A highly successful musical group organized by a teacher and students from Saline High School has voted, with school district approval, to become a private venture. … more
Why Are Schools Borrowing More?
Despite projected decreases in future enrollment, Michigan's public schools seem to be on a building binge. … more
The States and Outsourcing
A guest columnist for Tech Central Station cites Mackinac Center research to bolster his argument in favor of free trade. … more
Cleveland Passed 1888 Test of Character
A great incumbent president wins the popular vote, but loses the electoral college--and refuses to drag the country through a traumatic recount. … more
Grover Cleveland: Could He Be Elected Today?
Washington and Lincoln aren't the only presidents worth honoring on President's Day. … more
Tax Shots Across the Budget Bow
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has introduced a budget proposal for fiscal 2005 containing almost $400 million in new taxes. Yet, there is plenty of room in Michigan's budget for cutting wasteful spending, before reaching deeper into taxpayers' pockets. … more
For a Strong State Economy, Look at the Big Tax Picture
A guest columnist for the Indianapolis Star bolsters her argument for lower taxes with advice from the Mackinac Center. … more
The Economic Case for Right-to-Work Laws
Right-to-work states have superior rates of business productivity, economic growth and job creation, and have a lower cost of living. This is a pdf file. … more
What Impact Do Tax Increases Have on Employment?
A well-known economic modeling program used by the Mackinac Center predicts job losses would follow an increase in Michigan's income tax. … more
Privatizing Air Traffic Control: Safer and Cheaper
Government and think-tank studies are concluding that private contractors can run air traffic control towers safer and cheaper than the government can. … more
In Celebration of Black History Month, 2004
Here, in one place, are all our articles over the years, celebrating historical examples of African American character, fortitude and entrepreneurship. … more
MichiganVotes.org Assembles Database of Votes Lawmakers Missed in 2003
How many votes did your state senator or representative miss during the past year? … more
City of Saginaw May Trash Current Refuse Collection System
Saginaw may turn over its trash collection to the Mid-Michigan Waste Authority, which contracts with private companies. … more
"Proposal A," 10 Years Later
Proposal A has lived up to its promise of greater revenue for Michigan schools. … more
Union President Praises Center, Then Files 'Don't Quote Me' Lawsuit
The Michigan Court of Appeals will hear arguments for dismissing the MEA's lawsuit against the Mackinac Center on Feb. 5. … more
Black History Month: Remembering Ralph Bunche
Black History Month is a good time to reflect on the accomplishments of Michigan native Ralph Bunche, former U.N. Undersecretary General. … more
Alexander Graham Bell Meets George Eastman
No central planners or government grants placed the telephone or the camera in the hands of the common man and woman. … more
More Privatization in Plymouth's Future?
Plymouth officials are looking at all options for balancing the city's budget, after voters in November rejected a plan to raise city taxes. … more
Making the Grade
Michigan's public schools are upset at the prospect of being graded in the same way teachers grade students. … more
States Hiring Private Consultants to Manage State Property
Michigan and other states are hiring private real estate consultants to sell unused state property. … more
Final Thoughts on Free Trade
The fact that some nations fare worse than others under an economic regime of free trade doesn't mean protectionist policies such as tarriffs will help those nations. … more
Money and Red Tape
A recent survey shows educators are frustrated by the intrusion of government mandates in the education process. … more
New Union Tactic Creates Problems for Workers
Strategy uses outside pressure to force companies to sign "neutrality agreements" whether workers want a union or not. … more
Savings, Big and Little, are Ripe for Taking
In 2005, Michigan should cut unnecessary spending and make structural changes that would lower the cost of government services. … more
Solving the Organ Donation Crisis Through Incentives
A private group called LifeSharers offers more than just the satisfaction of helping as an incentive to donate organs. … more
Former Director of the Department of Environmental Quality Joins Mackinac Center Staff
Russ Harding, former Gov. Engler's cabinet member for eight years, will research environmental conditions in Michigan and recommend policies that foster environmental protection based on sound science and respect for citizens’ property rights. His first speech is in Lansing Feb. 3. … more
Free Trade and Factor Mobility
Recent developments in the global economy have raised doubts over whether some free-trade assumptions are still valid. They are. … more
Michigan's Renewable Energy Program: Still Tilting At Windmills
The state is wasting its time (and your money) if it thinks any government action will expand the use of renewable energy sources, short of their becoming commercially viable. … more
Just Show Up And We'll Give You Better Grades
A Grand Rapids high school has adopted a policy that rewards students with higher grades — just because they show up for class. … more
Michigan Should Alter Property Grab Rules
The Michigan Supreme Court's decision to let government condemn land for purposes of building a GM plant set a poisonous precedent for similar abuses of power. … more
Land Preservation Double-Cross
Leelanau County residents were promised no new taxes in exchange for their approval of a land preservation plan. Now activists are lobbying for a tax hike to finance the measure. … more
Why School Districts Can't Save on Health Care
The Michigan Education Special Services Administration (MESSA) employs a number of unfair tactics to maintain its market share of Michigan school district health plans. … more
Web Site Documents Every Action of Historic 2003 Legislative Session
Citizens, journalists, lobbyists, and government officials access lawmakers' voting records 16,000 times in the final month of 2003. … more
Think Tanks In Action
Approximately 40 state-based think tanks are making the world a better place by promoting free markets and limited government. (PDF file) … more
