Opinion

opinion Mike Bishop, Bill Huizenga, Fred Upton, Tim Walberg, Dave Trott, Paul Mitchell, Jack Bergman, and John Moolenaar Published 2:55 p.m. UTC Aug 31, 2018 This week, our country honors the men and women who work hard every day to provide for their families and get the job done. Also, across the state, families are sending students back to school to pursue another year of education that will help them develop the knowledge and skills needed to secure a job following graduation. That’s why we have supported legislation that lets hardworking Michiganders keep more of their own money and empowered new learning opportunities for students. Right now, unemployment is near historic lows; the economy is strong and providing opportunities for all. Here in Michigan, we know a good comeback and we also know that a booming economy doesn’t just happen on its own - it comes as a result of implementing sound policies that benefit families. With the overhaul of our outdated tax … [Read more...] about Opinion: Tax reform works for Michigan

opinion Mark Mix Published 2:53 p.m. UTC Aug 31, 2018 A right-to-work law ensures that no employee can be forced to join or pay dues or fees to a union as a condition of employment. This leaves the decision of union membership and financial support where it belongs: with each individual worker. While public sector employees nationwide now enjoy right-to-work protections under the First Amendment due to this year’s Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision, private sector workers in the 23 forced-unionism states may still be required to fund a union just to keep their jobs.  Enshrining workplace freedom has brought significant economic benefits to the 27 states that have passed right-to-work laws. Right-to-work states have enjoyed private sector job growth rates more than 1.3 times higher than in forced unionism states, according to an analysis of federal government statistics compiled by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR) between 2006 and 2016. … [Read more...] about Opinion: This Labor Day, celebrate the freedom and prosperity of right to work

opinion John C. Mozena Published 2:51 p.m. UTC Aug 31, 2018 When giant companies like Amazon, Quicken and Ford get together with Michigan’s politicians to put together new “economic development” incentives, we’re told a tale of job creation and community benefits. But the research results are increasingly clear that economic development incentives don’t actually accomplish what they claim. Independent economists from across the political spectrum who evaluate the results of these corporate welfare programs come back with consistently bad news for the economic developers: Overall, incentives to big companies don’t create jobs. They just enrich deals that would have happened anyway. They make states less attractive places for entrepreneurs. They reduce innovation. They increase inequality. They reduce support for critical services like police, fire departments, infrastructure and schools. They’re not necessary for economic growth and … [Read more...] about Opinion: Development incentives don’t benefit communities