Will Michigan Have Its First Unionized Parochial School?
The state's largest school employee union has a $10 million deficit, and it wants more mandatory dues payers. … more
Headlee Amendment Has Limited Taxes for 25 Years
Michigan could do even better by following the example of Colorado's 'Taxpayer Bill of Rights.' … more
State Should Remain Neutral in Labor Dispute
Governor Granholm should not intervene in the Northern Michigan Hospital strike without compelling proof of harm to the public. … more
A New Baseball Statistic, Revisited
The Detroit Tigers' record so far of 28 wins and 77 losses could push the 'subsidies to victories' ratio to new heights. … more
'Draculand' Wants Your Blood and Your Money
Romanian central planners could learn a lesson from failed government entertainment projects in Michigan. … more
Giving Laptops to Sixth-Graders Won't Improve Their Education
The Legislature's $39 million plan will almost certainly be a colossal waste. … more
Repeal the Michigan Control Shares Acquisition Act
A takeover attempt of Taubman Centers, Inc. has inspired legislation to make a bad law worse. Should there be any anti-takeover laws? … more
We're All Licensees Now
State licensure for a host of common occupations may be one step closer. … more
Stronger Incentives for Organ Donation Save Lives
Recent news stories highlight a new approach to organ donations. … more
Michigan's High Teacher Salaries and Student Performance
It will take more than money to improve student achievement and reward good teachers. … more
Character for a Free Society
The life of Joseph P. Overton exemplified the virtues necessary for a free society to flourish. … more
Budget Cut in Jobs Bureaucracy Is a Step in the Right Direction
Governor Granholm and the Legislature should finish the job and eliminate the Michigan Department of Economic Development. … more
MEA Tells Teachers to Quit Reading Mackinac Center Journal
MEA officials apparently don't want teachers to read literature that isn't filtered through the union. … more
Michigan's Un-Dead Death Tax
Bill aims to fill state coffers by resurrecting one of the most hated taxes of all. … more
Failing schools list grows; Schools contract out; House revises teacher college standards.
Read the July 15 edition of Michigan Education Digest. … more
Privatization: Fashionable and Sensible
Socialists once argued that the whole economy should be converted to function like one big Post Office. No one argues that anymore. … more
Boeing Bidding War Is Unprincipled
Mackinac Center Adjunct Scholar Paul DeLespinasse explains that tax law should be applied equally. … more
Americans Work Until Today to Pay for Government
Until today, the earnings of working Americans this year have gone to support their government at all levels. … more
Lessons from the First Airplane
The Wright brothers invented their successful plane a century ago, beating out government-subsidized competition. … more
Teamsters May Lose Petoskey Hospital Strike
Missteps could lead to the union's removal. … more
Does the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Even Matter?
The more a state spends on 'economic development,' the greater its economic output -- right? … more
Joseph P. Overton Funeral Today
The Mackinac Center is closed on Monday, July 7. … more
The True Meaning of Patriotism
Celebrate Independence Day as it was meant to be celebrated -- with passion and verve. … more
Mackinac Center Mourns Loss of Leader
Obituary, funeral details, and tributes to Joseph P. Overton. Updated frequently. … more
Independent Ideas Are Needed to Save Money
Government agencies aren't always forthcoming with ways to trim their own budgets. … more
Independent Ideas Are Needed to Save Money
Government agencies aren't always forthcoming with ways to trim their own budgets. … more
Michigan Education Digest
Affirmative action; shorter school days; voucher results; public school competition; and more. … more
Michigan Education Digest
Affirmative action; shorter school days; voucher results; public school competition; and more. … more
Legislation May Result in Less Low-Income Housing
Should tax policy favor non-profits in competition with for-profit builders? … more
Prescription Drug Ads: Problem or Solution?
Michiganians might be healthier, wealthier, and wiser with more -- not less -- drug advertising. … more
Stores and Shoppers Under Attack
Quick! What's easy to hate, but also wildly popular? … more
Michigan Education Digest
Bush praises states' education reform; four-day school week; school choice and urban renewal; and more. … more
We Can Stop the Spam
An alternative to government regulation of spam. … more
Federal Subsidy for Private Car Ferry Service
If someone robbed Fort Knox and spent his loot in Muskegon, would that be 'economic development?' … more
The Organ Donation Crisis
A columnist changes his mind on financial incentives for organ donations (.pdf document). … more
100 Years after Ford's Better Idea
The story of Henry Ford's car company is a tribute to Michigan's embrace of free enterprise. … more
School Unions Delay Education Reforms
A Hoover Institution scholar writes for the Detroit News 20 years after 'A Nation at Risk.' … more
The Committee on Cool
What could possibly be less cool than both government and a committee? A government 'committee on cool.' … more
Stealth School Elections Today?
Did you know that school elections are being held across the state today? … more
Letter to an Artist Friend
President Lawrence Reed makes the case for private support for the arts. … more
Contract Out School Services Before Laying Off Teachers
Privatizing bus, cafeteria, and custodial services can save teachers' jobs. … more
Protecting Marine Resources
The Mackinac Center will help Michigan high school students debate government's role in marine resource conservation. … more
The Driving-Point Tax: A River of Money Could Corrupt Cops, Courts
Lawmakers want to impose a new tax on the points you receive on your driving record. … more
History Shows Markets, Not Politicians, Should Set Gas Prices
New legislation to impose price controls on gas in Michigan would hurt far more than it would help. … more
The Mackinac Center will use Economic Model to Analyze Michigan Tax Proposals
The Mackinac Center can now estimate how new tax proposals will affect Michigan's economy … more
Mackinac Center says Supreme Court FMLA Ruling Opens Dangerous Policy Door
Robert Hunter tells why the federal government shouldn't take charge of states' personnel policies. … more
Should Government Hand Out Economic Favors? One Perspective on the MEDC
Michael LaFaive explains to a businessman why government favors to business are a bad idea … more
Whose Mailbox Is It Anyway?
A citizen discovers who really owns his mailbox. … more
Government Should Neither Favor nor Oppose Labor Unions
Paul Kersey's speech to members of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. … more
Dear Governor: Please Don't Offer My Business Special Favors
A business owner writes the governor. … more
Michiganians Need a Federal Tax Cut
Jack McHugh testifies before the legislature. … more
Corporate Welfare in Telecom Harms Consumers
Consumers ultimately lose when government forces one company to subsidize another. … more
Winners Never Quit; Quitters Never Win
Lawrence Reed's capstone address to the 2002 State Policy Network annual meeting.
… more
Winners Never Quit; Quitters Never Win
Lawrence Reed's capstone address to the 2002 State Policy Network annual meeting.
… more
Government Subsidy Machine
Discriminatory tax breaks may be smart politics, but they're not smart economics. … more
Is It Illegal to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is?
Campaign finance regulation places unprecedented restrictions on political speech. … more
Should Government Deny Workers a Choice in Comp-Time?
It should be legal for a worker to accept paid time off instead of overtime pay if an employer offers it. … more
Privatize Detroit Public Housing for Safety of Residents
Problems uncovered in an audit of the Detroit Housing Commission may cost the city $46 million. … more
Education in Disorder
A Wall Street Journal columnist says Americans are nearly unanimous; public schools are 'awful.' … more
State Debates Value of Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Michigan's department of corporate welfare is forced to make a case for its existence. … more
DNR Should Sell Land to Pay Its Taxes
With the agency unable to pay its property taxes, the time has never been better to sell some of its land. … more
DNR Should Sell Land to Pay Its Taxes
With the agency unable to pay its property taxes, the time has never been better to sell some of its land. … more
DNR Should Sell Land to Pay Its Taxes
With the agency unable to pay its property taxes, the time has never been better to sell some of its land. … more
Eagle Sightings Signal Improved Michigan Water Quality
From "endangered," to "threatened," to now recovered, the bald eagle nonetheless remains under federal protection. … more
How the State Should Encourage Economic Development
Fiscal Policy Director Michael LaFaive's remarks to legislators. … more
How the State Should Encourage Economic Development
Fiscal Policy Director Michael LaFaive's remarks to legislators. … more
Arkansas and Ohio Should Emulate Michigan's Proposal 'A'
Tax reform could lower property assessments and make school funding more fair. … more
Is There a Best Way to Teach Reading?
One author thinks there is, but wants parents to have a choice. … more
A Nation Still at Risk
Twenty years ago a national commission recognized the urgent need to improve public education. … more
Property Rights, Condemnation, and Special Interests
Imagine the government kicking you out of your property to give it to someone whom it prefers. … more
State Think Tanks Are 'Major Players'
The Mackinac Center is one of 42 institutes that is changing the face of state politics. … more
Six Ways We'll Know We've Won
Should friends of freedom and free markets be encouraged, or distraught? … more
Success Creates Its Own Problems
"Philanthropy" magazine reports the genesis of the Mackinac Center's Leadership Conference. … more
First Hundred Days of 92nd Legislature Documented for the Public
MichiganVotes.org helps citizens make sense of hundreds of bills, amendments, votes, and new laws. … more
First Hundred Days of 92nd Legislature Documented for the Public
MichiganVotes.org helps citizens make sense of hundreds of bills, amendments, votes, and new laws. … more
Freedom or Free-for-All?
Millions of Americans believe that as long as the cause is 'good,' it’s a duty of government. … more
The Poverty of the United Nations
Apart from the Iraq conflict, there are other reasons to be concerned about the United Nations … more
Regulatory Power Threatens Rights of Beachfront Property Owners
Should it be illegal to rake sand on your beach? … more
Health-Care Costs Affect Auto Insurance
The cost of government mandates crops up in unexpected places. … more
No Silver Bullet for Michigan's Economy
Defunding the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is a good idea, but lawmakers should do much more.
… more
Will Northwest Airlines Survive?
The company's management and its unions must work together. … more
Don’t Stifle Telecom Competition
The Legislature is considering measures that would make Michigan’s telecom market less competitive.
… more
Feds Endanger Michigan Ferry Business
Wisconsin investors want the federal government to help them compete against an unsubsidized Michigan business. … more
A Way to Ease the Pain of Budget Cuts
Repealing the state's 'prevailing wage law' would save $400 million per year. … more
Trendy Teacher Training In Michigan
What does it say about Michigan's teacher training that future teachers get academic credit for attending war rallies?
… more
Squelching Debate
A Wall Street Journal columnist writes "the prize for intimidation has to go to the Michigan Education Association." … more
Road Patrol Idea Could Save State $65 Million
Why pay costly state troopers to write tickets when sheriffs' deputies can do the job for less? … more
The Declaration, the Constitution, and the Brilliance of the Founders
Mackinac Center President Lawrence Reed's Constitution Day address in Trenton, Michigan. … more
Paycheck Protection: A Matter of Fairness
Idaho is the latest state to help unionized workers gain more control of their paychecks. … more
The Upper Peninsula's British Connection
Three Michigan towns bear the names of two illustrious British subjects. … more
Private Physical Fitness Program Illustrates Civil Society
GM and the UAW didn't wait for a government program to increase workers' health and productivity. … more
The Case for Wal-Mart
Does this retail giant trick customers into thinking they really do want low prices? … more
Should Workers Know What It Costs to Employ Them?
What if every pay stub in America detailed the government-imposed cost of keeping a worker on the payroll? … more
MEA May Raise Teacher Dues by Maximum Amount
the union is trying to erase $10.7 million in red ink by laying off staff, cutting training, and making teachers pay more. … more
The Presidency of Franklin Roosevelt
The 70th anniversary of FDR's inauguration as our 32nd president is a good time to review one researcher's conclusions. … more
How to Fix the Organ Donation Crisis
Innovative idea would ease the organ shortage and benefit donors' heirs. … more
Attack on SUVs Is Unwarranted
A valid risk assessment must weigh the safety benefits of SUVs … more
Governor Granholm: Profile in Budget Courage
Jennifer Granholm could become the model for the 21st-century Democrat. … more
Mackinac Center Study Will Help Lawmakers Close $1.7 Billion Budget Deficit
More than 200 recommendations for balancing the budget and strengthening civil society.
… more
