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Phil Power's ColumnPhil Power, founder and President of The Center, spent nearly 40 years in the newspaper business as founder, owner and Chairman of HomeTown Communications Network, Inc. During that period, his weekly column appeared regularly in his Michigan newspapers. It earned both state and national honors for its balance, insight and vigorous point of view. After the sale of his company last year, Phil continued writing his column on a regular basis. If you would like to receive his column via email, sign up for the Center's newsletter.Latest ColumnsJul 25, 2008
Power: There's a national stirring among citizen groups"The public doesn't have a lobbyist!" That outburst drew nodded heads from a group of 16 people gathered in one of more than 180 "Community Conversations" held recently to discuss Michigan's future. Many people have grown steadily disillusioned with state and national politics. Nearly two decades ago, columnist and author E. J. Dionne noted that "on [...] Jul 18, 2008
Sensing a New EraSome weeks ago, I arranged to meet a friend at the gas station at the Grand River exit off I-96, just north of Brighton. As I waited, I watched the traffic go by: SUVs, big pickups, RVs. Every one of them happily guzzling gas on a warm spring afternoon. And I thought to myself: I’m watching [...] Jul 9, 2008
Correcting CorrectionsWe've been talking for years about Michigan's need to cut unnecessary spending. So let’s talk about our state’s expensive practice of tossing criminals in the slam and throwing away the key. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's 2009 budget calls for $2.06 billion for the Michigan Department of Corrections. That’s up dramatically from 1999, when we spent $1.4 billion [...] Jun 20, 2008
Reform: The New Work WeekGas is, as I write this, $4.19 at my neighborhood station, and they've dropped the $50 credit card limit on the pump. This is getting plenty serious. Fortunately, there is somebody taking a common-sense approach to the problem: Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. A month ago, he proposed voluntary rescheduling for county employees so they'd work [...] Jun 12, 2008
The Hope Factor in MichiganWith spooky coincidence, last week marked both the 40th anniversary of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's assassination -- and the winning by U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of the prize RFK had sought. I was involved in Bobby Kennedy's campaign for President, which was so abruptly and tragically ended in the pantry of the Ambassador Hotel in [...] Jun 6, 2008
A Sad Display on the IslandMACKINAC ISLAND -- If you've never attended the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, know that the first -- and overwhelming -- impression is the amazing crush of people. This year's conference drew around 1,800 participants to the fantastically beautiful porch of the Grand Hotel. For three days I was [...] 06/06/2008 05/15/2008 04/24/2008 04/17/2008 03/28/2008 03/19/2008 03/13/2008 03/07/2008 02/29/2008 02/15/2008 02/08/2008 02/01/2008 01/25/2008 01/17/2008 |
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