Chart Toppers
The 25 most popular Current Comments of 2008 … more
Blowing Smoke
Smoking bans are a form of property rights abuse. … more
Point of Departure
New Census Bureau data shows Michiganders are headed elsewhere. … more
Transparency 101
Explaining the role of government transparency in a free society. … more
Goose, but No Gander
Gov. Granholm's inconsistency on whose money should bail out auto industry. … more
Humble Words
Lawrence Reed's commencement address at Northwood. … more
Recalled E-mail
Court battle continues over union e-mail. … more
Not Your Father's Ford
How would bureaucrats react to a modern-day Henry Ford? … more
News Release: More School Districts Post Spending
School districts in Oakland, Midland and Houghton counties have agreed to post their checkbook registers online in response to a Mackinac Center request as part of it’s “Show Michigan the Money” transparency project. … more
Higher Ed, Higher Costs
College costs can be controlled. … more
Thanks for the Memories
A tribute to President Emeritus Lawrence W. Reed. … more
Depressing Parallels
Lawrence Reed discusses the Great Depression and today's economy. … more
Renaissance Center
If targeted tax relief is good, statewide tax relief is better. … more
News Release: Cigarette Taxes Can Cause Smuggling Problems
A new Mackinac Center study suggests that high state cigarette taxes can impose significant social costs in smuggling and ancillary crime. … more
Testing, Testing
Schools are using a variety of ways to measure immediate student achievement. … more
High Rent District
Targeted tax breaks do not help create jobs. … more
Fearless Forecasters
Predictions about Michigan's economy have been less than successful. … more
Inspire, Don't Expire
Lawrence W. Reed's comments from our 20th anniversary gala. … more
Lashing Out
The MEA advances its agenda with school board recalls. … more
Decisions, Decisions
Workers who want true freedom must take a stand on EFCA. … more
Michigan Privatization Digest
Pontiac seeks asset options, Iosco County explores inspection contracting, Union files lawsuit to prevent Detroit incinerator deal. … more
20-20 Vision
The Mackinac Center celebrates 20 years and looks ahead. … more
Science Substance Over Style
Remembering Michael Crichton's career. … more
Not Easy Being Green
The push for green jobs ignores economic realities. … more
Notable Quotables
Kind words in honor of the Mackinac Center's 20th anniversary. … more
In Memory of John Riecker
The Center mourns the passing of a valued leader. … more
News Release: PEG Fees Unnecessary
A new study shows the proposed legislation to allow municipalities to increase PEG fees is not supported by demand and could increase cable bills. … more
Red and Blue Make Purple
People must fight back against the battering, bruising political class. … more
Recall Redux
The battle over recall petitions led to greater rights for Michigan voters. … more
A Matter of Trust
New accountability rules for union trusts should be kept in place. … more
Revolutionary Cure
A prescription to fix what ails Michigan. … more
Assessing Assessments
If home values are falling, should taxes, too? … more
Silence is Deafening
What message do nonvoters send? … more
Funeral for a Friend
DEQ decisions are job killers. … more
Roger That
Pilot program for teacher merit pay gains support. … more
Bound Over
Proposed legislation would change how counties bargain with jail guards.
… more
Michigan Education Digest
Dropout summit, union e-mail, school-closing group, merit pay pilot. … more
Visit Early and Often
Voters can learn useful information before election day at MichiganVotes.org. … more
Class Envy?
Good policy, not creating coolness, strengthens cities. … more
Just Rewards
Merit pay for teachers can improve public schools. … more
"Be Not Afraid"
Remembering Pope John Paul II in the fight against communism. … more
Great Depression Myths Revisited
Phase IV: The Wagner Act. … more
Sympathy Card
Michigan's economy won't get well soon with targeted business incentives. … more
Great Depression Myths Revisited
Phase III: The New Deal. … more
The “Scene” and the Unseen
Michigan's film tax credits aren't free money. … more
Great Depression Myths Revisited
Phase II: Disintegration of the World Economy. … more
Nebraska Works!
Shouldn't state-run jobs programs focus on Michigan jobs? … more
It Merits Discussion
Discussing merit pay for teachers. … more
Great Depression Myths Revisited
Introduction: An overview of myths and mistakes. … more
Who's to Blame?
MichiganScience looks at the political battle over a flawed government report. … more
Earth Tones
How worldviews shape public policy. … more
A Look Back
Lawrence Reed talks about the history of government bail outs. … more
Backhanded Compliment
The government will only create more problems by trying to solve the bank crisis. … more
Crystal Ball
The predictable failure of Michigan's economic development programs. … more
Sinking Feeling
The private sector continually is forced to bail out the government. … more
News Release: Court Verdicts Show Flaws in Wetland Law
Guilty verdicts in a case involving a "wetland" on the property of Sparta's Hart Enterprises highlight a state law in urgent need of reform. … more
Making Plans
A new book details the harm caused by central planning. … more
Cool Cities
How right-to-work protections would help cities. … more
Moving Day
Michigan's exodus continues amidst high taxes and bad policy. … more
Lean and Green
Lean thinking can help public schools save money. … more
Special Education Left Behind?
Special education teachers are having trouble meeting NCLB requirements. … more
Tax Credits vs. Vouchers
An explanation of the differences between two school choice plans. … more
Judgment Call
A court decision exposes the shortcomings of union governance. … more
Michigan Privatization Digest
Rackham golf course, Detroit incinerator privatization, Silverdome to be sold. … more
Read Any Good Books Lately?
Private ownership of historical items has a long and successful history. … more
Can Detroit Come Back?
A look at what it will take to save the city. … more
Drill Here, Drill Now?
Russ Harding discusses Great Lakes drilling. … more
News Release: Center Analyst Hails PAC Ruling
A recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling prohibits government from deducting PAC money from employee pay checks. … more
Jailhouse Crock?
A Macomb County couple is jailed over property rights. … more
News Release: Union Financial Reports Reveal Waste
An examination of the financial reports of Michigan’s largest unions reveal that less than half of the compulsory dues workers are forced to pay as a condition of employment are actually spent on collective bargaining. … more
Ballot Defeat
Why a partisan ballot initiative was rejected by the courts. … more
Power to the People
Michigan lawmakers are taking the wrong approach on energy policies. … more
Eight is Enough
RMGN is out. Here are eight ballot measures that should be considered. … more
