Our POLITICS + POLICY category provides users with an extensive list of articles dealing with past, present, and future issues relating to politics and policy throughout the UP.
Recently Published
From Michigan Advance: Voters being misled about the cause of Michigan’s economic decline
Michigan Advance’s Rick Haglund writes, “A recent statewide poll conducted for the Detroit Regional Chamber found voters think Michigan fares about average compared to other states in education, reading, income and jobs. But the stark reality is that the state is near the bottom in almost every one of those categories.”
A strong foundation of local democracy in the U.P.
Local democracy often gets overshadowed by national politics, but the health of our communities starts closer to home. New research looking at Upper Peninsula local officials shows how leaders here view the strength of democracy at the federal, state, and local levels. The results offer an interesting snapshot of how democracy is functioning across the U.P.
President Trump, Canada, the Upper Peninsula and Tourists
Fewer Canadians are crossing the border into Michigan, and U.P. businesses are beginning to feel the impact. New data shows a sharp decline in cross-border travel and its potential effects on the local economy.
Maintenance, Not Growth: U.P. Local Leaders Reflect Statewide Funding Strains
A new Michigan Public Policy Survey report highlights what many U.P. communities have been feeling for years: local governments are stretched thin, costs are rising, and there are limited options to bring in new revenue.
Change isn’t the problem—Profitizing Michigan’s mental health system is
Tom Watkins wrote in Michigan Advance recently about the importance of community-based mental health, and the dangers of “profitizing” these critical services.
