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Econ
Who Are Ann Arbor’s Own 1 Percent? Hint: Many Work for Local Nonprofits & In the Public Sector
The New York Times recently published a feature about the 1 Percent. Reporters Shaila Dewan and Robert Gebeloff write: "Now, the colossal gap between the very rich and everyone else — the 1 percent versus the 99 percent — has become a…
How The 1 Percent Create Jobs: Officials Dump Millions In Public Money Into Local Job Creation & Exercise Little Oversight
by P.D. Lesko
Michigan has bled jobs, and the state's residents have suffered Depression-era unemployment levels.
The Detroit Free Press recently concluded in its report card evaluation of Governor Rick Snyder that Snyder's first year in…
Ann Arbor Politicos Dish Up Millions in Public Money & Give SPARK Pals A Pass On Public Accountability
by P.D. Lesko
I read a Tweet from Ann Arbor SPARK on November 17th: "Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK's CEO, speaking at the VC breakfast in San Jose, California. http://twitpic.com/7felds."
Krutko was the Chief Development Officer for the…
New Report: Michigan Economy Is Moving “Significantly Backward” By Hiking Taxes on the Poor
by P.D. Lesko
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, one of the nation’s premier policy organizations working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and…
While Ann Arbor Pols Push Tax Hike, Street Repair Millage Fund Balloons & Miles of Roads Resurfaced Plummets
For more than five years, Ann Arbor residents have had to deal with a mismanaged and heavy- handed city sidewalk program which forced them to pay for repairing sidewalks along their property. City officials estimate property owners spent…
Interview: U.S. Rep. Schauer
by Chris Savage
In 2008, Democratic state Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer was elected to be the Representative for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, replacing Republican Tim Walberg. The 7th District, which spans a large…
Forbes Mag. List of Cities With the Happiest Young Professionals Includes Detroit But Not Ann Arbor
by P.D. Lesko
The Boomers on Ann Arbor City Council are fixated on turning the city into a mecca for Young Professionals. After all, 35,000 wanna-be YPs study at the University of Michigan, and if all of them would just stay put, in less…
Interview: Michigan Municipal League Director Dan Gilmartin—Rising Above Politics to Save Michigan
There are few people in Michigan more qualified than Dan Gilmartin to talk about what it will take to return Michigan and its varying municipalities to prosperity. On his blog, Gilmartin covers everything from what makes municipalities…
In Michigan 1.8 Million Don’t Have Enough Food. Senate/House Republicans Vote To Toss 16K Families & 25-30K Kids Off Public Assistance.
by P.D. Lesko
In July, all of Michigan's Republican Senators voted to put a 48-month time limit on public assistance. The same Bill passed the Michigan House on August 24, 2011. If Governor Rick Snyder signs it, on October 1, 2011, an…
New Research Shows Sharp Increase in Childhood Poverty in Michigan. Gov. Snyder Responds By Announcing Junket To Asia
Analogy Alert: President Obama is buying books (and playing golf) on Martha's Vinyard. In Sunday's New York Times, Maureen Dowd took the President to task as only she can. Dowd writes: "Is Obama so isolated he can’t see that Americans are…