The Mackinac Center for Public Policy

09/03/2026

Michigan was promised more than 20,000 new jobs. It got 602. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer offered $2.7 billion in subsidies for eight major projects. The state has already spent $1.8 billion in taxpayer money, all for 3% of the promised jobs.

Harder, less flashy policies improve state economic performance

09/03/2026

‘It doesn’t matter who is in power; power should be restrained in a clear way’
Michael Van Beek on the ideas that drove the American Revolution.

Michael Van Beek on the ideas that drove the American Revolution

09/03/2026

Officials in Union Township held their usual meetings in July and August and discussed economic development, but a new analysis of economic data shows that the township in Isabella County needs to recognize it’s not an attractive place to live or do business.

Comparison with 13 townships shows lagging performance

09/03/2026

Calls for reform of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation are growing from both sides of the political aisle.

Mackinac Center fiscal policy director James Hohman spoke with WILX about the MEDC’s track record, taxpayer-funded business deals and why lawmakers also need to be held accountable.

News 10 Investigates has spent the last year digging into the MEDC — from a deep dive into its track record on job promises, to the criminal case against Fay Beydoun, a Metro Detroit businesswoman accused of misusing a state grant the agency administered.

09/03/2026

Data centers are on a lot of people’s minds, with concerns typically involving the amount of water, electricity and land they use. A related concern has to do with concerns about a technology data centers enable, notably, artificial intelligence.

Concerns are overblown

09/02/2026

The various programs for funding internet access to date have done very little to improve internet access in Michigan while likely delaying access and causing a range of other problems. It does appear that MIHI’s administration of these programs in Michigan has changed for the better recently.

The Pitfalls of Government-Funded Internet in Michigan

09/02/2026

Kettering University student Josh Tewolde has filed a lawsuit against Genesee County after the county refused to release key public records concerning its use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras.

Lawsuit seeks transparency over county surveillance technology and data access

09/02/2026

America’s workers are already avoiding unions like the plague, hence the labor movement’s shrinking size. Unionized workers, many of whom have no choice about membership, should not have to worry about unions co-opting their retirement money under the guise of ESG.

Woke campaigns hurt companies, deplete worker pensions

09/01/2026

Economist Vance Ginn says solving the housing affordability crisis starts with building more homes. He says permitting reform, smaller minimum lot sizes and fewer barriers to construction can help increase supply and bring housing costs down.