This issue willl be a major legislative policy issue this Fall into next year. It will bring out major lobbying groups with very divergent positions and strategies. Important for citizens to know and understand all of the factors and policies involved. Be informed.
Michigan State Department Head Video Interviews
All very interesting interviews and well worth our time in viewing
How Smaller Cities Trying To Plug Brain Drain--Micropolitians Grow
We need more of this for our rural cities and communities to build more coalitions and joint ventures with other rural communities in order to grow, innovate and share costs.
https://www.wired.com/story/how-smaller-cities-trying-plug-brain-drain/
Economic Well Being Of Michiganders Getting Worse. Excellent, Solid Data In Here
AI Will Have A Huge Impact On Education: How. When. Are We Prepared?
We don’t know how AI will change K-12 Education and higher education. We do know that it will be significant. Educators and policy makers need to begin preparing for the change, for the revolution.
https://domemagazine.com/artificial-intelligence-ai-and-education-are-we-prepared/
Teachers, Parents and Citizens Leading The Way On Education Reform
This op-ed discusses the importance of focusing on education reform NOW in Michigan. Teachers have an important role to play. So do parents, as well as all citizens. We have wasted too much time on education reform that has not gotten us where we need to be as a state. Let’s make this our top priority as citizens and taxpayers. Don’t leave it just up to state policy makers.
https://domemagazine.com/americas-teachers-lighting-the-way/
Important Education Observations By Educator Tom Watkins, Former State Superintendent Of Education And Education Reformer
Time now for state policy makers to get down to business and start intensive talks on how Tom fix theMichigan K-12 education problems and on how to expand and share what is working in our K-12 system. Less partisan wrangling would be very welcomed by voters on both side of the aisle. More innovative policies on finding issues, teacher salaries, outcome measurement, student poverty in the classroom, school infrastructure equity, etc., etc.. Then move onto higher education opportunities for all Michiganders and free coo 7 its college tuition with a state public service requirement to be eligible for the free tuition.
Innovation and Economic Opportunity in Rural Communities: The Next Wave From “Forgotten Communities And Regions”.
An interesting article about innovation coming from America’s “forgotten communities “. We too often read in social media and national media about the population of America moving to our urban centers and economic advancement becoming more restricted to the more highly educated and skilled. This article talks about what is happening outside our highly populated areas of our nation. Lots of innovation and opportunity.
Virginia To Add Free Community College, With A Catch/Condition
If you want free community college tuition in Virginia you will have to give some form of community service.. details not finalized yet, but this is an interesting idea. Good for the Stae, good for citizens and good for students.
Graduated Income Tax for Michigan And New Road Funds This Fall
There is a bill pending in Michigan that would implement a graduated income tax. Earn more, pay more in state income tax is the theory. This type of tax has long been debated in Michigan, but now as the governor and the legislator hunt for road funds to repair Michigan roads situation, this tax idea has new life.
The Governors’road repair proposal calls for $2.5 billion in new funds. The graduated income tax would produce $2.5 billion in new revenue. Magic! Problem solved. Or is it solved?
Will the Democrat’s and the Republicans come together in the legislature to pass the new tax and fix the road repair crisis? When the6 come back into session in September we will see. As 5hey say time will tell. Tax increase votes are very difficult votes in the Michigan legislature.
Michigan's road funding impasse could lead to a graduated income tax
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/07/24/michigan-budget-graduated-income-tax/1757351001/
Roads and Education Still Must Be A Priority In State Capitol This Fall
Roads and education still are crucial issues left undone when they left for summer vacation. Voters seem to want both to be a priority for lawmakers and they want something done now. Tom Watkins article here is a good discussion of the issues and 5he politics.
Higher education advocates are unhappy with funding proposals in House and Senate appropriation bills. Governor’s recommendation is much higher. Debate and advocacy will continue into Fall. Falling enrollments are alarming to higher education leadership as well as state policy makers. Students are burdened with huge student loan debt while at the same time bearing 75% of operations budgets via their tuition. Universities and state policy states all across the nation are dealing with the same issue. Alaska just announced huge university budget cuts and the university has declared a state of financial exigency.. watch for more of this many more states.
https://www.michiganadvance.com/2019/07/22/education-advocates-grapple-with-disturbing-higher-ed-budget/
Rural America Offers Recent Graduates A Great Opportunity For Careers-“Micropolitans”.
Very interesting op-ed on working and living in rural America, where one can find incredible opportunities to pursue one’s career and have an amazingly wonderful life. Rural Marquette Michigan is a prime example of living in Ann exciting and vibrant community. Marquette is a great example of America’s “micropolitan”.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/21/opinion/college-graduates-rural-america.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Rebuilding Michigan’s Middle Class
43% of Michiganders cannot afford bascs of housing, child care, transportation, food, health care, technology, etc., according to a United Way 2017 study. As detailed in this article more is needed than just expanding skilled trade training, although it is an important element of rebuilding Michigans’ middle class. More reform is needed in every area of our daily lives, including addressing income disparity and education.
Redistricting Commission Info/Process Laid Out By SOS
Redistricting Commission Info From SOS: Work to begin. Important to follow this as it will have a major impact on who is elected to the state legislature and to congress. Might see more bipartisan public policy efforts in Michigan if this goes well. Creating districts that are more balanced between Ds and Rs is potentially a good thing for public policy in Michigan. This site lays out how to apply to be on commission and provides info and data for the commission and the public to use in this effort.
https://www.michiganadvance.com/blog/benson-lays-out-redistricting-commission-info-online/
Michigan Taxation Data and Information: Clarified and Detailed
Some good data and explanations of Michigan state revenue sources. Lots of misinformation and inaccurate information on this topic out in the public square. This report will help clarify lots of the misinformation.
https://crcmich.org/dispelling-some-state-government-finance-misunderstandings/
National Cook Report Makes MI-3 CD A Toss Up - Big Change
It will takes months and months for us to see how this congressional race develops. Both primaries will be very interesting, harsh and expensive. If stays competitive in Fall both parties and national PACs will poor tons of money into the general election.
West Michigan Meijer Family Fields GOP Congressional Candidate
Public Scrutiny &Doubt Face Higher Education
https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/Trend19-Intrusion-Main
Higher Education Reauthorization Act Approval In 2020?
https://www.chronicle.com/article/Could-Congress-Pass-a-New/245614