Lawmakers in Michigan and across the country are busy with policy work, in an effort to revive the economy. Unfortunately, some of the policies under consideration will do more harm than good. James Hohman wrote about one such policy in an op-ed for Real Clear Policy. As Hohman wrote, “While lawmakers label their attempts to bribe companies to their borders as ‘economic development,’ they do not result in a better use of resources. Instead, these programs waste resources so that politicians can appear to be helping the economy grow.” One way to end corporate welfare programs is to pass an interstate compact that creates a ceasefire agreement among states. An op-ed in The Detroit News, also written by Hohman, applauds recent legislation introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would create an interstate compact in the Midwest.
Film incentives in particular have been gaining traction across the country. After Michigan’s film tax-credit program failed to deliver on its promises, the Mackinac Center helped to end it in 2015. But bad ideas never stay dead. Efforts to resurrect the program have begun in Michigan, and some states have introduced new programs of their own. Michael LaFaive co-authored a Wall Street Journal op-ed with Pat Garofalo of the American Economic Liberties Project that discussed the problems with film incentives. As the piece says, “Lawmakers in Michigan and every state considering such corporate welfare should look at the evidence, then end their obsession with doling out taxpayer money to moviemakers.”
As parts of the United States were experiencing energy shortages due to a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continued her relentless pursuit of closing the Line 5 pipeline. Jason Hayes wrote about this misguided move in National Review. He also wrote an op-ed for Reason magazine. As he wrote there, “Pursuing policies that impose ‘reliably unreliable’ energy on citizens and ratepayers is a dangerous recipe for failure.” Hayes also discussed this issue on “Plugged In” and “Michigan’s Big Show.”
Labor unions are once again attempting to intimidate workers by organizing through card check. Steve Delie wrote about these efforts in an op-ed for the Washington Examiner. Another blatant attack on worker freedom is the PRO Act, which is currently in front of the U.S. Senate. The deciding vote could come down to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, who has expressed support for the bill. In an op-ed for The Hill, Delie and F. Vincent Vernuccio discuss how Manchin is at odds with his state’s constituents, who have taken recent action through the West Virginia Legislature to further protect workers’ rights.
