Price Fixing and Sotheby's
The recent verdict for criminal price-fixing against 76-year-old William Taubman, the former CEO of Sotheby's, has destabilized the world of high-priced auctions. But is he really a criminal? … more
Keep Cutting Taxes
Mackinac Center President Lawrence Reed urges the Michigan Legislature to not only keep on track with scheduled tax cuts but to enlarge them to help revive a flagging Michigan economy. … more
Is Christmas Inefficient?
A Mackinac Center adjunct scholar takes on one Scrooge economist's contention that gift-giving results in a waste of economic resources. Merry Christmas to all from the Mackinac Center staff! … more
Fighting Statism at the State Level
"Think of the Mackinac Center as one of the chief laboratories for the laboratories of democracy," writes Detroit News columnist Tom Bray in a recent article for OpinionJournal.com. … more
Tolerating Zero-Tolerance
Are so-called "zero-tolerance" policies effective in reducing violence in public schools? … more
Making the Case for Liberty
Making the case for liberty "stick" requires a patient, long-term commitment to ideas and principles over the instant gratification of short-term obsessions with elections and legislation. … more
Does the MEAP Measure Up?
Mackinac Center education experts analyze the effectiveness of the Michigan Education Assessment Program. … more
Michigan Schools in Debt
Despite regular funding increases since the passage of Proposal A, Michigan public schools' borrowing is at an all-time high. … more
Corn Flakes and Greatness
Learn the story of a great Michigan entrepreneur and philanthropist, Will Kellogg, in this classic Mackinac Center Viewpoint. … more
The Myth of "Predatory Pricing"
Over 40 years ago, Professor John McGee demolished a popular economic myth-but the myth persists. … more
Grant Helps Launch New Initiative
The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation of Midland has awarded grants totaling $480,000 to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy to help launch a new public policy initiative and support the Center's general operations.
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"Proposal A+" for Michigan Schools
U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra joins the Mackinac Center in calling for greater school choice for Michigan parents in a recent Detroit News op-ed. … more
War and the Growth of Government
After a crisis, a government inflated with "emergency measures" almost never shrinks to its pre-crisis size. That's why the time to trim the bloated federal establishment is now. … more
Charles Dickens and Child Labor
The miserable lot of children during the British Industrial Revolution is a major theme in many Dickens' classics including "A Christmas Carol." Was capitalism to blame for the misery? … more
Public Schools and Choice
How is Michigan's public schools-of-choice law working? Michigan Education Report investigates. … more
Lack of School Choice Is the Problem
A privatized school monopoly is no better than a government school monopoly. … more
State's Broadband Plan A Bad Idea
The state's plan to wire all of Michigan, including sparsely populated rural areas, with high-speed Internet cable is redundant at best and harmful to the telecommunications market at worst. … more
Preserving History at Bayonet Point
Preserving historic buildings is a noble endeavor, but it is best accomplished using voluntary means, not the coercion of government "historic district commissions." … more
The New Three Rs
The Mackinac Center's new director of science, environment, and technology policy explains the public schools' new Three Rs: Recycling, Rationing, and Regulation. … more
Church and Sprawl
The Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit has come out swinging against "urban sprawl," but church officials could better serve Michigan citizens by engaging in a balanced debate on the issue of growth management. … more
How Much "Should" Gas Cost?
Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm's crusade against gas stations that raised their prices after Sept. 11 is the wrong solution in search of a nonexistent problem. … more
How to Save Detroit
Former Indianopolis Mayor and current Bush advisor Stephen Goldsmith has some advice for financially troubled cities like Detroit in this Michigan Privatization Report article from 1998. … more
War, Freedom, and Government
Find out how U.S. soldiers overcame the bureaucratic bungling of a Michigan native to win the Spanish-American War in this classic Mackinac Center Viewpoint. … more
Profit Motives and Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a perfect time to reflect on how free markets help to deliver the bounty. A Happy Thanksgiving to you from the staff of the Mackinac Center! … more
Gasoline and "Gouging"
Is Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm right to pursue charges of "price gouging" against gas stations that raised prices in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks? … more
Charity and Society
Mackinac Center President Lawrence Reed analyzes what it means when entrepreneurs are admonished to "give something back to society." … more
Managing Public School Debt
The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan has "one of the highest public school debts in the country." Three years ago, a Mackinac Center scholar recommended responsible borrowing practices for schools. … more
Four Principles and a Challenge
Mackinac Center President Lawrence Reed challenges State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins to embrace fundamental reforms in public education at a recent charter school conference. … more
Tocqueville's Warning
Inspirational remarks about the role of state-based think tanks as champions of the free society. Remarks from the 9th annual State Policy Network meeting, held Oct. 6 in Boulder, Colo. … more
School Choice--in Michigan and Beyond
Should Oklahoma expand school choice for its students? Sooner State legislators ask Mackinac Center Director of Education Policy Matthew Brouillette for the facts. … more
A Tale of Two Privatizing Cities
Two mid-Michigan cities, Flint and Saginaw, are quietly using Mackinac Center recommendations from Michigan Privatization Report to improve the quality of municipal services in the face of budgetary challenges. … more
Charter Schools and Accountability
Director of Education Policy Matthew Brouillette explains at a recent conference of charter school officials how charter schools must serve two masters-government and the education marketplace. … more
Repeal the Prevailing Wage Act
Michigan's Prevailing Wage Act of 1965 is a costly piece of special-interest legislation that forces public schools to waste millions of dollars each year on inflated construction costs. … more
Government and Accountability
Michiganvotes.org, a new web site that posts plain-English descriptions of every bill, amendment, and vote, is enhancing state government's already admirable record of accountability. … more
Improving Public Schools
Over the past decade, the state of Michigan has laid some important groundwork for improving public education, but the continued lackluster performance of many schools argues the need for more choice and competition in the system. … more
Cruel and Unusual
State legislators should reform harsh "mandatory minimum" sentencing laws that dramatically lengthen prison sentences for many first-time drug offenders--while doing almost nothing to punish the "kingpins" the laws were supposed to target. … more
Proposal A and School Funding
An influential Lansing newsletter asks the Mackinac Center about school funding, Proposal A, and property taxes. … more
State Should Mind Its Own E-Business
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is moving forward with its plan to "wire" the state for high-speed, "broadband," Internet access. Mackinac Center scholars explain why this is a bad idea. … more
Supply and Demand and Labor
A student Asks the Economist to explain how the law of supply and demand functions in the labor market. … more
Teachers Declare Independence
Teachers at Island City Academy, an Eaton Rapids charter school, voted 12-1 Monday to oust the Michigan Education Association (MEA) as their collective bargaining agent.
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Seven Pillars of Sound Policy
Mackinac Center President Lawrence Reed's speech to the Economic Club of Detroit is a "dismal science" guide for policy makers. … more
Reining in Ritalin
The Mackinac Center looks at the powerful drug Ritalin, given to schoolchildren diagnosed with a controversial "disease," in this Oct. 28 Detroit News op-ed. … more
Land Use and State Planning
A Mackinac Center scholar explains the deficiencies inherent in government-directed land-use planning. … more
Tax Cuts: Tonic for an Ailing Economy
Oct. 23, 2001 testimony of Mackinac Center President Lawrence Reed before the Michigan House Commerce Committee and Senate Economic Development Committee. … more
Cut Taxes to Boost the Economy
The Michigan Legislature takes up a package of tax cuts recommended by the Mackinac Center and Chamber of Commerce.
(President Reed's testimony will be available online tomorrow.) … more
Education Innovation
Parents of students who struggle with traditional school environments or teaching methods often believe the public sector is the only place where they can get help. But that is not the case.
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Public Schools and Local Control
A 25-year veteran school teacher explains why maintaining local control of schools is vital if public education is going to improve. … more
A "Maximum Wage" Law?
A student asks what would happen if the government imposed a "maximum wage" law to prevent employers from offering job applicants "too much" money. … more
Why Energy Conservation Fails
As the president and Congress debate energy policy, they would be wise to note that while conservation can have some benefits, reducing the total amount of energy we use isn't one of them.
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See How Your Legislators Vote
A recent Detroit News editorial encourages citizens to check out the Mackinac Center's MichiganVotes.org, a "good bit of public service and a convenient way for voters to stay informed" in the democratic process.
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Freedoms Worth Fighting For
Government has a distinct role in protecting us from foreign attacks, but it is private citizens working individually and together who create wealth, build institutions, help those in need, educate our children, and defend our liberties from all threats. … more
Education Tax Credits or Vouchers?
After Michigan and California voters last year rejected two school voucher proposals, education tax credits are becoming the preferred vehicle to expand educational opportunities for children across the country. … more
School Finance Reform in Michigan
A Mackinac Center education expert testifies before a Pennsylvania House of Representatives education reform committee on Michigan's experience with Proposal A. … more
Putting More Teachers in the Classroom
Nearly two million new teachers soon will be needed due to class-size reductions, teacher retirements, and enrollment increases. One way to avoid a shortage is to cut the needless government barriers that keep many qualified teachers out of the classroom. … more
Gold Reserves and the U.S. Dollar
A student Asks the Economist what would happen if the U.S. suddenly sold all of its gold reserves. … more
School Funding and Proposal A
Proposal A of 1994 dramatically altered the way government schools are funded in Michigan. Seven years later, debate continues over Proposal A's effects. … more
Motor City Needs a Tune-Up
In November, the citizens of Detroit will elect a new mayor. Regardless of who they choose for the job, residents should insist that their new executive consider privatization of assets and services as a way to give the Motor City the financial tune-up it desperately needs. … more
Making Social Security Secure
The best option for younger workers, minorities, and low-wage earners shortchanged by Social Security is a new system that allows them to reap more retirement income by privately investing their payroll taxes in stocks and bonds. … more
"Streamlining" the Sales Tax
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that state and local governments cannot force out-of-state companies to collect taxes for them. But some public officials aren't content with that ruling and are casting about for ways to further enhance already overflowing government revenue coffers. … more
Regulating Charter Schools
Will more government regulation bring greater accountability to charter schools? A recent study suggests the opposite: that less regulation leads to increased accountability and student achievement.
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MEA vs. Teacher Salaries
Many Michigan Education Association union employees are earning salaries more than twice as high as the average teacher, according to recently released U.S. Department of Labor data. … more
Unions and Right-to-Work
Last week, with support from Mackinac Center labor experts, Oklahoma became the 22nd state to adopt a law affirming every employee's right to work without being compelled to join a union. Read how Michigan can work toward this same goal of a free market in labor representation for its workers. … more
Freedom and Fear
A Mackinac Center scholar examines free-market responses to terrorism and security precautions against future attacks that do not constrict Americans' liberties. … more
Surveying Schools
Many Michigan districts report satisfaction with the benefits-including cost savings and improved quality-that they've received from privatizing food, janitorial, transportation, and other non-instructional services. … more
Home Education and Public Schools
Families who home-school their children still must pay taxes to fund public schools, so many parents are taking advantage of those schools' extensive extracurricular programs in music, athletics, and other areas. … more
Charity or Commercialism?
Corporate donations have become increasingly popular as a way for school districts to raise extra education dollars, but critics fear the "commercialization" of public schools. … more
Students Tackle Timely Issues
Media coverage of the Mackinac Center's 2001 High School Debate continues as hundreds of Michigan students gather to discuss sound methods for dealing with terrorism and the threat of weapons of mass destruction. … more
Killing the Economy?
The federal government's response to the September 11 attacks threatens to harm even more Americans as economic freedom is undermined. … more
Charter Schools: Lessons from Arizona
A former Michigan teacher's experience running a successful charter school in Arizona has valuable lessons to teach policy-makers. … more
Timely Workshops Help Students
Detroit News and
Free Press coverage of the Mackinac Center's 14th Annual High School Debate Workshops highlight our expert speakers from New York and Washington, D.C. on the subjects of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. … more
Keep Your Government Accountable!
Log on to the Mackinac Center's new MichiganVotes.org to track legislators' votes on the issues that are important to you and make your voice heard. … more
A Time for Charity
The American spirit of charity is greater than any government program, as shown by the millions of people now volunteering to help the victims of violence in New York and Washington, DC. … more
Tax "Fairness" and the Internet
A National Governors' Association scheme to tax Internet commerce is neither "fair" nor economically sound. It could cost many jobs in Michigan and other states and lead to even worse things-including a new federal sales tax. … more
Economies of School
School districts that are too small to outsource can band their operations together to entice for-profit firms to perform non-instructional services. … more
Politicians and Protectionism
A student learns a lesson about the harmful economic effects of protectionism and the reason many politicians continue to embrace protectionist policies anyway. … more
School Story Missing Some Chapters
A recent PBS series purports to provide viewers with an unbiased history of public education in America. But with programs produced by a government-run network, Americans are treated to only the government's point of view. … more
Smile! You're on Traffic Camera!
More cities and states across America are adopting controversial traffic cameras in an attempt to crack down on speeders. Should Michigan join them? Mackinac Center scholars weighed the pros and cons in a 1995 Viewpoint. … more
Drop the Microsoft Suit!
On Thursday, the Justice Department announced it would not seek a breakup of software firm Microsoft, which is being sued by the federal government and 18 states, including Michigan, for antitrust violations. A better decision would be to drop the suit altogether. … more
Savings Rates and Living Standards
How and why do high rates of saving lead to higher standards of living? A student Asks the Economist for the answer. … more
The High Cost of Higher Ed
A little-known provision of the new federal tax relief law makes affording college a bit easier for many Michigan families. … more
The Brawl over Sprawl
Lansing policy-makers should consider how and why local goverments and the free market are best equipped to deal with "sprawl" issues. … more
Those Lazy, Hazy Days of Labor
This Labor Day weekend, take a little time in between drinking beer and grilling burgers to learn about the past, present, and future of the labor movement. … more
Schools and Money
Some public school officials are blaming Proposal A for their present budget woes. But school revenues are up, raising the question, "Can districts better manage the resources they already have?" … more
Michigan and the Info Age
Michigan cities need to slash onerous taxes, cut burdensome regulations, and deliver high-quality services in order to attract the high-tech firms so essential to the new economy. … more
Public Schools and Success
Mackinac Center education experts respond to The Detroit News's question, "Do Michigan public schools succeed?" … more
Union Dues and Politics
Have you heard the one about the union that spent none of its members' dues on political campaigns and lobbying? National Review Online readers got the scoop in a recent Mackinac Center op-ed. … more
The Wonderful Washing-ton Machine
Hot on the heels of the government-mandated "low-flow" toilet comes the new, more "efficient" Washing-ton machine. … more
The Vanity Clause
The Washington Post likes the Mackinac Center's idea for funding transportation needs by auctioning off vanity plates to the highest bidder. (Scroll down to "All Is Vanity.") … more
Tax Relief for All, Not Some
While Gov. Engler stumps for tax "fairness," his administration continues to dole out special favors only to selected firms. In a recent Detroit Free Press article on state incentives for a single corporation, the Mackinac Center continues to champion real fairness: across-the-board tax relief for everyone. … more
Let Freedom Ring
Forty years ago this month, the Berlin Wall was erected to prevent refugees from communist brutality from escaping to the West and freedom. The Mackinac Center remembers in a National Review Online article. … more
The Great Depression Overseas
A student Asks the Economist why Germany suffered particularly badly during the Great Depression. … more
The Myth of Overpopulation
A new book pays tribute to the late Julian Simon, an economist who debunked fears about "overpopulation." Read this 1998 article on the subject from Mackinac Center President Lawrence Reed. … more
Running on Empty
By every measure of science or economics, the federal ethanol program is a costly failure. The Bush administration should pull the plug on this special-interest boondoggle. … more
Parental Involvement in Education
A teacher cites Mackinac Center research in her Detroit Free Press op-ed arguing for more parental involvement in education. … more
"Market Failure" and Fishing
Is "overfishing" in the Great Lakes an example of Keynesian market failure? The Economist, of Ask the Economist fame, answers. … more
Pioneers and Privatization
The history of Michigan reveals fascinating stories of how the state's settlers embraced private solutions to public problems following many failed government attempts. … more
Political Labels vs. Critical Thinking
"Liberal" and "conservative" are just two of the labels many people unthinkingly apply to the ideas of others. It's time to re-assess our terminology and develop a more nuanced and thoughtful way to frame the important issues of our time. … more
Tax Rebates and Spending
As millions of Americans receive checks from the IRS for a change, Detroit News columnist Laura Berman ponders the economic ramifications of tax rebates with help from a Mackinac Center policy analyst. … more
Giving (Tax) Credit Where Due
National Review Online recently highlighted the Mackinac Center's case for K-12 tuition tax credits over vouchers. … more
Unions and Financial Disclosure
Workers have a right to know exactly how their unions are spending their dues dollars. … more
