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Whitmer's Back-and-Forth on Football Raises Questions On The 'Science' She Cites

Tom Gantert | September 4, 2020

Without Context, Water Use Claims Are Misleading (Millions? Billions? Trillions?)

Water use debate often occurs in an information vacuum

Tom Gantert | January 16, 2020

Corporate Subsidy Formula: Big Promises In Headlines, Failures Invisible

Take those job promises with a grain of salt

Tom Gantert | October 10, 2019

Michigan Teacher Pay Scales: Top Out Fast, Then Go Nowhere

That’s the union contract most teachers accept when they enter the profession

Tom Gantert | September 14, 2019

No Such Thing As An Average Teacher Salary In Michigan

One teacher saw a $19,166 increase over three years; another, $435 over seven

Tom Gantert | September 13, 2019

Will Wild Rice Really Save The Great Lakes?

Without prioritization, it’s hard to know if Great Lakes Restoration money is well-spent

Tom Gantert | September 5, 2019

Website Calls Detroit Charter School ‘Struggling,’ Silent On Failing District Schools Nearby

Charter scored a ‘C’ on income-adjusted school ratings, but its conventional competitors got an ‘F’

Tom Gantert | August 20, 2019

About

Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm Oversaw Parade Of Failed Green Energy Boondoggles

Would-be energy secretary’s record not promising

Jarrett Skorup | December 21, 2020

Licensure Mandates Cost Michigan Jobs And Millions In State Revenue

Job restrictions also have disparate impact on youth and minorities

Sandy Malone | December 2, 2019

What the Mackinac Center is Thankful for in 2019

Freedom, fairness and fiscal responsibility

Jarrett Skorup | November 28, 2019

Will Restaurants Reopen Feb. 1?

Mixed messages and more confusion from the governor

Michael Van Beek | January 14, 2021

Mixed messages and more confusion from the governor

State Budget 2022: Not Too Early to Cut Corporate and Industry Handouts

Michigan needs a fair field for all and favors for none

Michael D. LaFaive | December 22, 2020

Michigan needs a fair field for all and favors for none

House Republicans 'No Way' on Detroit School Choice Restrictions

Speaker Kevin Cotter faced down intense political opposition

Tom Gantert | June 7, 2016

Michigan vs. Minnesota Report Says Little About What Policies To Pursue

Michigan Future study lists lots of correlation, no causation

Jarrett Skorup | June 18, 2014

Part Of A Pattern: Farmington Cop’s Pay Went From $92k In 2019 To $141k In 2020

New series shows government employees thriving during pandemic while many private workers suffer

Tom Gantert | January 15, 2021

State Health Experts’ Comments Suggest Its Virus Models Not So Good

Appears their projections missed a November spike in fatalities

Tom Gantert | January 15, 2021

Number Of State Government Jobs Up As Michigan Crushes Its Restaurant Industry

One-third of all restaurants here may be toast, but government keeps growing

Tom Gantert | January 13, 2021

State COVID Citation Dampens The Fun At This Family Fun Center

Tom Gantert | January 9, 2021

What Policies Actually Matter To COVID?

Lockdowns may just give illusion of control, at great social and economic cost

Michigan Capitol Confidential Staff Reports | January 8, 2021

24,836 In Michigan Got COVID Shots Wednesday

174,749 statewide have been immunized

Tom Gantert | January 7, 2021

Michigan Hospitals At Pre-COVID Occupancy Levels

ICUs 75% occupied

Tom Gantert | January 7, 2021

State Health Department Calls On Athletes To Enter Four-Week Bubble

Only limited contact with others for two weeks before and after an event

Tom Gantert | January 7, 2021

Small Town UP Diner Attracts Big Crowd To Protest Ongoing Lockdown

More attended nearby Houghton event than live in establishment’s hometown

Tom Gantert | January 5, 2021

31 Bars And Restaurants Lose Liquor License For Epidemic Lockdown Offenses In 2020

Michigan Capitol Confidential Staff Reports | January 4, 2021

Three Times More Got COVID Vaccine On Dec. 29 Than Tested Positive In Michigan

Tom Gantert | December 31, 2020

Restaurant And Bar Tent Adds Three Walls Too Many For Health Department Officials

Costs the establishment its liquor licence

Tom Gantert | December 30, 2020

Ann Arbor Schools Latest To Stop Giving Failing Grades During Pandemic

Tom Gantert | December 26, 2020

Highest Number Of COVID Vaccine Doses Administered in Michigan On Monday

Tom Gantert | December 22, 2020

Reopen Classrooms or Send Money to Families

State needs to rethink education funding priorities

Ben DeGrow | December 10, 2020

State needs to rethink education funding priorities

In the ‘Birthplace of Organized Labor,’ Union Membership Plummets

Since Michigan's right-to-work law was adopted organized labor struggles to retain dues-paying members

Jarrett Skorup | October 31, 2020

Second Wave Agony: Maybe The State’s Epidemic Policy Is To Blame, Not Its People

Officials scold the public, but a growing chorus of scientists say it’s politicians who are blowing it

Tom Gantert | October 30, 2020

Largest School Districts In Michigan Haven't Opened Classrooms

They’re limiting more than 200,000 students to online instruction only

Tom Gantert | December 18, 2020

Under Current COVID Restrictions Michigan Could Have 5,600 Fewer Restaurants In Six Months

Tom Gantert | December 17, 2020

Gov. Whitmer: Blame The People When Case Numbers Up, Take Credit When They Drop

Tom Gantert | December 16, 2020

Michigan Restaurant Workers Slammed Harder Than Other States

Tom Gantert | December 15, 2020

Michigan Workers Among Hardest Hit By Pandemic-Related Income Losses

We’re fifth worst, with 17.8% of workers harmed

Tom Gantert | December 12, 2020

Jan. 1 State Minimum Wage Hike Likely Suspended Due To High Unemployment

State's 10.2% unemployment rate elevated by epidemic and lockdowns

Tom Gantert | December 11, 2020

Michigan Workers’ Incomes Up Since Right-To-Work Became Law

Union activists’ ‘right to work for less’ snarks had it exactly backwards

Tom Gantert | December 11, 2020

‘Science Settled’ On Indoor Dining?

Tom Gantert | December 10, 2020

State Health Department Head Blames Residents For High COVID Numbers

But nearby states show similar pattern even without strict lockdowns

Tom Gantert | December 9, 2020

State Health Department Extends Current Michigan Lockdown Until Dec. 20

Tom Gantert | December 7, 2020

Michigan Businesses Nation’s Hardest Hit By Government Lockdowns

Nearly one-third here were closed; national average is less than 20%

Tom Gantert | December 7, 2020

Michigan’s Early December Virus Spike Mirrored Nationwide

Restrictions ordered Nov. 18 did not stamp out the spread

Tom Gantert | December 5, 2020

Figures Indicate Michigan Small Business Crushed By Pandemic And State Response

More than one-third have closed, potentially forever for many

Tom Gantert | December 4, 2020

Another Michigan Restaurant’s Liquor License Suspended For COVID Noncompliance

Tom Gantert | December 3, 2020

State Pulls More Liquor Licenses, Encourages Individuals To Report COVID Violators

Tom Gantert | December 2, 2020

Whitmer Says ‘Don’t Travel,’ State Agency Spends Tax Dollars Encouraging It

Tom Gantert | December 2, 2020

State Health Department: Speak Up Or We Cremate A Deceased Loved One

Tom Gantert | November 24, 2020

Nearly A Million Were Unemployed In April; Down To 168k In Michigan As Of Nov. 7

Tom Gantert | November 24, 2020

Michigan Taxpayers Still On Hook For $5.3 Billion To Corporations In Next 10 Years

Tom Gantert | November 23, 2020

Whitmer Tells Scary COVID Story Thursday; State Warns Against Panic Friday

Governor, after 11 family members and friends all caught virus at card game: ‘Their story is not unique’

Tom Gantert | November 20, 2020

Michigan at Significant Risk of a 2021 Tax Hike

DC Firm Lays Out Factors That Drive Tax Hikes Around the Country

James M. Hohman | November 17, 2020

DC Firm Lays Out Factors That Drive Tax Hikes Around the Country

About Legal Action Against Gov. Whitmer

A statement from the Mackinac Center

November 17, 2020

A statement from the Mackinac Center on current litigation considerations against Gov. Whitmer

Less Road Funding from the Road-Fixing Governor

State spending up, but not for roads

James M. Hohman | November 12, 2020

Despite running on fixing the roads, state spending on roads is down under Gov. Whitmer

Report: Give Local Governments More Money, But Don’t Ask Taxpayers

That’s the gist of a new study on local government finance in Michigan

Jarrett Skorup and James M. Hohman | November 11, 2020

New study misleads on fiscal issues facing local governments in Michigan; simply calls for higher taxes

Common Sense Licensing Reforms for Military Families a Good Start

Occupational licensing a needless barrier to jobs for too many

Jarrett Skorup | November 11, 2020

Occupational licensing a needless barrier to jobs for too many

Michigan Lawmakers Make Progress on Pension Debts

But taxpayers still owe more than $50 billion to state-run pension systems

James M. Hohman | November 5, 2020

Progress being made, but taxpayers still owe more than $50 billion to state-run pension systems

Flying By The Seat of Our Pants

COVID response suggest there’s no point to planning for pandemics

Michael Van Beek | November 3, 2020

COVID response suggest there’s no point to planning for pandemics

Beer, Tattoo Art and Groceries: Is There Nothing the State Won’t Subsidize?

Governments do a lousy job at creating jobs through its handout programs

Michael D. LaFaive | October 28, 2020

Governments do a lousy job at creating jobs through its handout programs

State Budget Recovers From Pandemic

Weak case for additional federal coronavirus relief

James M. Hohman | October 21, 2020

Weak case for additional federal coronavirus relief

Underfunded? Detroit Is State's 15th Best Funded Larger School District

Gets less from some sources and more from others

Tom Gantert | August 29, 2020

Five School Options For Parents And Children This Fall

But nothing is certain

Parker Thayer | July 30, 2020

Costly Drugs For Rare Diseases A Moral Dilemma For Society

A life-and-death issue for some

Parker Thayer | June 28, 2020

Possible Fire Sprinkler License Would Be Nation's Most Restrictive

‘Work experience’ requirement exceeds requirements for practicing law

Madeline Peltzer | July 15, 2019

Homeowner: Are All Uses Not ‘Permitted’ By Zoning Forbidden?

That’s what one Michigan city appears to claim

Dawson Bell | March 14, 2019

Respected Think Tank Shatters Michigan ‘Teacher Shortage’ Myth

Uncritical media has repeated this false teachers union claim

Tom Gantert | February 26, 2019

Michigan School Funding ‘Dead Last’? Watch That Methodology

Third in a series of how claims about public school revenue claims are often misleading

Tom Gantert | February 11, 2019

One Source Of School Finance Confusion: ‘Equity In School Funding’

Second in a series of how claims about public school revenue claims are often misleading

Tom Gantert | February 9, 2019

Warning: Michigan School Finance Is Complicated

It’s also confusing, and spending interests often don’t tell the whole story

Tom Gantert | February 8, 2019

Diversity Programs Big Business at U-M

University pays $11 million to 93 diversity program administrators

Derek Draplin | February 4, 2019

School Budgets Caught A Cold In 2000s, But Michigan Taxpayers Suffered Economic Pneumonia

Spending advocates’ budget comparisons ignore how Michigan’s ‘lost decade’ crushed taxpayers

Tom Gantert | January 30, 2019

Michigan’s Electric Companies Sign Onto Green Agenda

Expect costlier and less reliable electric power supplies

Evan Carter | December 31, 2018

Michigan Schools And Families Were Hurt By 800,000 Lost Jobs

Public school establishment complaining about cuts that happened 10 years ago

Tom Gantert | November 12, 2018

Utility’s Plan To Replace Coal With Solar Passes Regulatory Hurdle

Regulators advance it a step, but cost and reliability concerns remain

Evan Carter | October 8, 2018

U-M Research Guide Leans Left On ‘Fake News’ And Media Bias

Watching academia's taxpayer-funded media watchers

Tom Gantert | August 28, 2018

Gov. Rick Snyder’s Fiscal Policy Legacy

A review

James M. Hohman | July 28, 2018

This Michigan Utility Is Planning Your Energy Future

We’ll be much more dependent on intermittent power sources and buying electricity from out of state

Evan Carter | July 23, 2018

By Honoring Football Anthem Protests, Union Dishonors Teachers Who Dissent

Example of how NEA’s compulsory dues violated teachers First Amendment rights

Tom Gantert | July 6, 2018

Dems Get 99.9 Percent of 2018 Teacher Union Political Cash

But an imminent Supreme Court ruling could make unions more sensitive to GOP members

Tom Gantert | June 21, 2018

Detroit’s Tax-Related Debt To Wayne County Down $70 Million Since 2010

$4 billion drop in property values plays a role

Aaron Lehman | June 19, 2018

Despite Positive Buzz For Detroit, Downward Population Trend Continues

Moves of some corporate headquarters help the city but haven’t ushered in a new age

Evan Carter | June 8, 2018

Even In Low-Paying School Districts, It’s Hard To Beat Teacher Pay And Benefits

Teaching may have its frustrations, but total compensation in Michigan public schools isn’t bad

Tom Gantert | June 1, 2018

Michigan Dems Don’t Like Current Policies, Ignore Facts About What Came Before

State’s economy worse now than during ‘Lost Decade’? Data tells very different story

Tom Gantert | May 29, 2018

Union In Potential Landmark Case Gave To Sharpton, Progressives, Dem Party

Supreme Court ruling expected on state worker’s claim that government unions inherently political

Evan Carter | May 18, 2018

Special Tax Breaks For Privileged Firms Means Money Comes From Someone Else

Who do you think pays instead?

Tom Gantert | April 17, 2018

Despite Right-To-Work Laws, Unions Find Ways Make Workers Keep Paying

Michigan courts shut down one such tactic, but unions try others

Jack McHugh | April 16, 2018

For Each Gallon Of Water Michigan’s People Use, 288 Gallons Fall From The Sky

Really big-sounding water consumption figures appear much smaller when put in perspective

Tom Gantert | April 12, 2018

Average Teacher Pay Doesn’t Support Liberal Site’s Narrative? Use It Anyway

Vox says never mind, the narrative is right nationwide if not in every state

Tom Gantert | March 24, 2018

DTE Earns Big Gas Pipeline Profits, Lobbied For More Gas-Fired Electricity

‘More renewables’ and ‘less coal’ means more gas, and DTE is big in the gas business

Michigan Capitol Confidential Staff Reports | March 7, 2018

Getting Harder For Union To Spread Teacher Pay Disinformation

'Taxpayers have a right to know where government funds are going and to whom'

Tom Gantert | February 27, 2018

Did School Choice Opposition Help Doom Detroit’s Bid For Amazon HQ?

Charters are city’s most promising schools yet face significant political opposition

Tom Gantert | February 15, 2018

Media Plays Games, Misleads Readers When Its Target Is School Choice

Public Radio labels a charter school opponent as ‘pro-school choice’

Tom Gantert | January 29, 2018

DTE Produces Enough Wind Power To Run 24,000 Homes - But Part Of The Day Only

Oh, you wanted electricity 24/7?

Tom Gantert | January 15, 2018

Teacher Shortage Claims: Republicans Did It

Yet hundreds often apply for teacher openings, and 2,045 for one in Troy

Tom Gantert | January 10, 2018

Past Mistakes Haunt Builder Trying to Find Work

Michigan’s occupational licensure mandate can permanently impair those with criminal records

Jarrett Skorup | December 22, 2017

Charters Schools ‘Segregated’? Children Only Attend If Their Parents Choose

That’s a challenge for opponents dredging up invalid Jim Crow associations

Tom Gantert | December 11, 2017

Are Any Left? 100 Years Of ‘Michigan Teacher Shortage’ Headlines

Media keeps publishing the dubious claim, so public school establishment keeps repeating it

Tom Gantert | November 29, 2017

The Most Bizarre Licenses in Michigan

Potato dealers, foresters, butter graders and more

Jarrett Skorup | November 21, 2017

Insurance Reform Opponents Spin 'No' Votes; Drivers Just Want Rate Relief

Now what? Some special interests have reason to celebrate the high-cost status quo

Tom Gantert | November 6, 2017

Now what? Some special interests have reason to celebrate the high-cost status quo

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