It’s easy to forget how much we rely on electricity; how it is now an essential part of our lives. We have become so accustomed to it that we take it for granted. But, reliable and affordable electricity is essential for our lives and well-being. It helps us to live comfortable and healthy lives.
This report provides readers with a better understanding of how Michigan’s electricity system works, that it gives readers a clear idea of how electricity is generated, transmitted and used in our state. With this understanding, we hope to help Michigan residents become better consumers, customers and more informed voters.
This booklet contains the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation’s final legal filing in a nationally known case involving the illegal unionization of Michigan’s home-based day care business owners and providers as government employees. Wright argued the case in the Michigan courts on behalf of Sherry Loar, Michelle Berry and Paulette Silverson, who each own home-based day care businesses.
The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation sued to end the DHS' illegal diversion of so-called "union dues" from state subsidy checks received by home-based day care providers who watch children from low-income families. The "dues" were funneled to a government-employee union that purports to represent more than 40,000 of Michigan's home-based day care providers, who are actually private business owners and independent contractors.
The case was ruled moot by the Michigan Supreme Court after the DHS ceased to collect the dues and the DHS director stated that these home-based day care providers are not public employees.
For policymakers and voters serious about restoring freedom and economic vitality in the Great Lakes State, the Mackinac Center presents the following 101 recommendations.
With Democrats controlling the House, Senate and presidency, there are new questions for those interested in labor policy: What should we expect for labor issues in the immediate future?
There are a number of ramifications that may come from these election results that are not directly related to labor. These include attempts to pack the Supreme Court, eliminate the filibuster and incorporate new states. Nevertheless, there are many initiatives that people interested in labor policy should be prepared to address. These include both legislative and administrative actions, each of which are significant, but not guaranteed.
This report explains how Michigan could pursue a flexible funding program that would give learners greater agency, especially for middle-school and secondary students and their families. Charting a path to complete a diploma, every student would be allowed to use a portion of their per-pupil allotment to “purchase” courses from schools for both online and face-to-face instruction. This funding could also be used for dual-enrollment classes, apprenticeships, career and technical training and other learning opportunities from a broad menu of providers.
This is the 18th edition of the Mackinac Center's annual school privatization survey. We ask every school district in the state if they outsource one of the three main noninstructional services — custodial, transportation and food services. The results from this year's survey show that 69.9% of school districts contract out for at least one of these services.
