Guest Commentary Archives - Bridge Michigan https://bridgemi.com/category/guest-commentary/ Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:01:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-32x32.png Guest Commentary Archives - Bridge Michigan https://bridgemi.com/category/guest-commentary/ 32 32 247008660 Opinion | Michigan school funding needs to be predictable and weighted https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-michigan-school-funding-needs-to-be-predictable-and-weighted/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:01:05 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=73200 Man stands outsideInstead of picking winners and losers based on political favors, we should fund students based on their needs ]]> Man stands outside

Instead of picking winners and losers based on political favors, we should fund students based on their needs

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Opinion | How the Justice Department failed Flint https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-how-the-justice-department-failed-flint/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:41:11 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72848 headshot of a man smiling while wearing a suit and tie against a gray background.A federal case would have avoided procedural obstacles that undermined the state prosecutions. One conclusion is impossible to escape: the state process left meaningful criminal accountability out of reach.]]> headshot of a man smiling while wearing a suit and tie against a gray background.

A federal case would have avoided procedural obstacles that undermined the state prosecutions. One conclusion is impossible to escape: the state process left meaningful criminal accountability out of reach.

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Opinion | Michigan can ease burden on families facing devastating medical challenges https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-michigan-can-ease-burden-on-families-facing-devastating-medical-challenges/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:04:27 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72843 Headshot of a woman seated in a carFamilies like ours understand the devastating financial consequences a medical diagnosis can have. Policymakers have a chance to help, including protecting access to lifesaving prescription medicines and minimizing the impact of medical debt. ]]> Headshot of a woman seated in a car

Families like ours understand the devastating financial consequences a medical diagnosis can have. Policymakers have a chance to help, including protecting access to lifesaving prescription medicines and minimizing the impact of medical debt.

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Opinion | If Michigan wants to lead again, it must reinvest in education’s basics https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-if-michigan-wants-to-lead-again-it-must-reinvest-in-educations-basics/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:32:52 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72632 headshot of a man smiling with green and blue backdropIn business, you don’t fix problems by cutting corners and hoping for the best. If we’re serious about making Michigan #1 in education, then we need to be honest about priorities.]]> headshot of a man smiling with green and blue backdrop

In business, you don’t fix problems by cutting corners and hoping for the best. If we’re serious about making Michigan #1 in education, then we need to be honest about priorities.

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Opinion | EVs in 2026: A reset, not a retreat https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-evs-in-2026-a-reset-not-a-retreat/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 19:31:49 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72584 Headshot of a smiling bearded man wearing a baseball-style cap with a four-leaf clover on it.Michigan knows how to design, build, test and improve vehicles better than anywhere in the world. Electric vehicles aren’t a rejection of that legacy. They’re its next evolution.]]> Headshot of a smiling bearded man wearing a baseball-style cap with a four-leaf clover on it.

Michigan knows how to design, build, test and improve vehicles better than anywhere in the world. Electric vehicles aren’t a rejection of that legacy. They’re its next evolution.

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Opinion | The youth literacy crisis is a threat to the nation’s foundation https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-the-youth-literacy-crisis-is-a-threat-to-the-nations-foundation/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:37:07 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72468 Side by side headshots of two womenLiteracy achievements come about through a fierce commitment to evidence-based practices and hard work by teachers, students, and families. They are proof that all students can read when they are afforded the proper resources.]]> Side by side headshots of two women

Literacy achievements come about through a fierce commitment to evidence-based practices and hard work by teachers, students, and families. They are proof that all students can read when they are afforded the proper resources.

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Opinion | Investing in tuition-free college can be a good economic bet for Michigan https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-investing-in-tuition-free-college-can-be-a-good-economic-bet-for-michigan/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72389 side by side headshots with a man on the left and woman on the rightHaving more educated workers strengthens communities, making it easier to attract new businesses and enabling existing employers to improve productivity and expand.]]> side by side headshots with a man on the left and woman on the right

Having more educated workers strengthens communities, making it easier to attract new businesses and enabling existing employers to improve productivity and expand.

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Opinion | Immunization is a responsibility, not just a choice https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-immunization-is-a-responsibility-not-just-a-choice/ Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:54:59 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72306 Headshot of an adolescent girl smiling with greenery in the background.We have been taught to trust science, but now, with rising vaccine waivers and plummeting immunization rates, we are witnessing the consequences of misinformation unfold in front of us.]]> Headshot of an adolescent girl smiling with greenery in the background.

We have been taught to trust science, but now, with rising vaccine waivers and plummeting immunization rates, we are witnessing the consequences of misinformation unfold in front of us.

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Opinion | MSU must return what they took — and add more https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more/ Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:18:14 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72198 Headshot of a smiling Rema Vassar.There is now zero legal justification — not even the pretense of pending litigation — for Michigan State University to dismantle equity programs. Yet MSU continues operating as if the Trump administration’s unconstitutional orders carry force of law.]]> Headshot of a smiling Rema Vassar.

There is now zero legal justification — not even the pretense of pending litigation — for Michigan State University to dismantle equity programs. Yet MSU continues operating as if the Trump administration’s unconstitutional orders carry force of law.

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Opinion | Water affordability fund would help close Michigan investment gap https://bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-water-affordability-fund-would-help-close-michigan-investment-gap/ Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:29:33 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72174 Headshots of Mami Hara and Gary Brown.Michigan needs $85 billion in investment over 20 years to bring its water and wastewater systems in line. An affordability plan before lawmakers can not only support residents facing shutoffs, but water systems as well.]]> Headshots of Mami Hara and Gary Brown.

Michigan needs $85 billion in investment over 20 years to bring its water and wastewater systems in line. An affordability plan before lawmakers can not only support residents facing shutoffs, but water systems as well.

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