News
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 […]
U.S. House approves debt limit package, sending it to Senate days before default deadline
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House took a broadly bipartisan vote Wednesday night on the debt limit package, sending it to the U.S. Senate where lawmakers are expected to vote quickly to clear the measure. The bill would suspend the nation’s borrowing limit through Jan. 1, 2025 and set caps on discretionary spending for two years. […]
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 […]
Michigan abortion rights leader to join Children’s Center in Detroit
Nicole Wells Stallworth on Wednesday was named CEO of the Detroit-based Children’s Center, a nonprofit centered on improving the lives of children and families. Stallworth, executive director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and vice president for public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Michigan, will start her new position on July 10. Liz Agius, Children’s […]
Cat declawing ban reintroduced in Legislature
A ban on declawing cats in Michigan has again been introduced in the Legislature. For the past few legislative sessions, lawmakers have introduced bans on onychectomies, or any other surgical procedure that removes or interferes with the normal functioning of the claws of a cat. The bills have not advanced out of committee. Currently only […]
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 […]
Billboard outside Florida airport warns travelers of DeSantis’ anti-abortion policy, urges them to go to Michigan
Following travel advisories warning visitors that Florida might not be a welcoming place for Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ people, now comes a warning that anyone capable of getting pregnant might also be better off in another state. Michigan, to be precise, according to a billboard just erected outside Orlando International Airport. It features Dr. Tim Johnson, an OB-GYN […]