Business + Labor
Are metro Detroit residents ‘thriving’?
A survey centered on life in the Detroit metropolitan area released on Thursday states that 50% of all residents give life evaluations that classify them as “thriving.” However, 52% of city residents between ages 18 to 39 believe children would be better off going to school in another area. The Detroit Regional Chamber and the […]
Mark Cuban trashes politics at Mackinac Conference, calls DeSantis’ feud with Disney ‘bulls–t’
Mark Cuban may own a basketball team, but he came to the Mackinac Policy Conference to hit some zingers with his address. During a conversation that lasted a little more than half an hour, Cuban took aim at former President Donald Trump and politicians writ large, including those in attendance at the policy conference where […]
Gilchrist talks about what’s next for Michigan cities, education, clean energy and more
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist told the Michigan Advance on Wednesday that he is looking forward to efforts that would support clean energy, schools and continued investments into Michigan’s economy. At the 2023 Mackinac Policy Conference, Gilchrist and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have focused on promoting inclusive policies to support Michigan families and bring more people and […]
Whitmer announces economic plan to attract ‘more than our fair share’ of federal resources
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled the first piece of her “Make it in Michigan” economic development strategy Wednesday during the first full day of the Mackinac Policy Conference. The plan consists of three pillars: projects, people and places. “These three P’s will support our long-term vision for Michigan,” Whitmer said. Whitmer focused on the first of […]
New report outlines ways to bolster Michigan’s tech industry as state struggles to retain talent
As Michigan legislators work to establish new jobs in electric vehicles and manufacturing, automakers are releasing the results of a new study to attract high-tech talent and business to Michigan. The report was published through a partnership between the MICHauto, an organization advocating for the state’s automotive, mobility and tech industry, and the Creative Class […]
What does Gen Z want? Equity in education funding, better transportation and more.
A Wednesday panel at the Mackinac Policy Conference highlighted the influence of young people in Michigan’s political, social and economic environments, while also calling attention to issues most pressing to Generation Z. Moderator Angelique Power, CEO of the Detroit-based grantmaking organization the Skillman Foundation, was joined on the panel by youth education activist Imani Harris, […]
Gilchrist stresses importance of inclusive policies, community-engaged policymaking strategies
Lt. Gov Garlin Gilchrist on Wednesday morning outlined the role communities play in creating inclusive policies and initiatives during a panel at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference. Kat Stafford, a national investigative correspondent for The Associated Press who’s a Detroit native, moderated the event in which Gilchrist, alongside business and policy experts, shared perspectives on […]
New work requirements for some SNAP recipients included in debt limit deal
WASHINGTON — The holiday weekend debt ceiling deal struck by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy preserves in part new work requirements for some food stamp recipients but now with exceptions for certain populations, including veterans. The agreement released late Saturday night showed concessions from both sides — from GOP members, who wanted […]
Higher teacher pay is order of the day in some Michigan schools
As the 2022-23 Michigan public school year comes to an end, some districts are increasing teacher pay as a way to get educators to stay. In a 2022 survey conducted by the Michigan Education Association (MEA), 20% of Michigan teachers and staff reported that they plan to leave the profession – and compensation was a […]
David Hecker: Public sector workers deserve more protections in Michigan
A great deal has already been accomplished this legislative session. Democrats, who have majorities in both the Michigan House and Michigan Senate for the first time in 40 years, have joined with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to drive large policy changes. This sea change in leadership was accomplished last November, in large part thanks to the […]
Debt limit deal hits turbulence in Congress as leaders prep for vote
WASHINGTON — Congress began moving the bipartisan debt limit package forward Tuesday, though frustrations with provisions in the bill could make for narrow passage in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats both aired their disappointment with the agreement forged over the weekend, but only GOP lawmakers are looking to possibly remove […]
Tlaib introduces bill expanding public land access for environmental justice communities
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), alongside Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives aimed at breaking down barriers to accessing the outdoors – particularly public lands and waters – faced by many environmental justice communities. The Environmental Justice in Recreation Permitting Act (EJRPA) would require an interagency study between […]