Low-wage job concentrations by Michigan region
Michigan’s core economic challenge is there are too many low-wage jobs. It is the primary reason for the Michigan Association of United Ways finding that a way too high 43 percent of Michigan households in a strong economy cannot pay for basic necessities. The reality of too many low-pay jobs is true across the state––nationally […]
Employers increasingly prefer generalists over specialists
All of a sudden there is lots being written about the trend of employers hiring generalists more than specialists. What is so disturbing is the disconnect between this reality and way too many policymakers pushing our education and training providers towards preparing students for a trade or profession. In a world where generalists are what […]
Schlissel makes the case for public investments
In an interview with Bridge magazine University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel lays out the case for public investments as essential to the future success of Michigan. Particularly public investments in higher education. Schilissel says: It used to be the public would come together around common goods, things that, you know, no individual benefits from, […]
The economic growth lesson from Texas ain’t what you think
In 2004 Michigan Future published a report on knowledge-based states having higher per capita income than manufacturing-based states. The data showed that the most prosperous states––other than states with lots of oil and natural gas––had four common characteristics: Over concentration in what we now call knowledge-based services High proportion of adults with a four-year degree […]
Education is not the key to a broad middle class
In an article for the Atlantic Seattle entrepreneur and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer writes: “Like many rich Americans, I used to think educational investment could heal the country’s ills—but I was wrong. Fighting inequality must come first.” Hanauer, as we explored in a previous post, is decidedly left of center. His politics are pro capitalism […]
Small business is a low-wage employer
As a culture we celebrate small business. There are many reasons why we should. It certainly is one of the paths to economic success for those who create a long term successful enterprise. And small business are a source of innovation and amenities that make our communities better places to live. But our celebration of […]
Reforming capitalism through a robust safety net
This is our third recent post on reforming capitalism so that it works for all. The first featured the writings of hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio on the reality for forty years growth in the American economy has not benefited the bottom 60 percent and a call for action to change that reality. The second […]
Lessons from Boston on creating quality charter schools
Michigan Future is a long time supporter of charter schools. But not any charter. Our support has been for quality charter schools, those that are getting breakthrough gains in student outcomes. So we were opposed to the legislation that removed the cap on the number of charter schools in Michigan without any quality standards for […]
BA attainment as an equity priority
Terrific Forbes column by thinkLaw’s Colin Seale. It is entitled The Equity Problem With Saying ‘College Isn’t For Everyone’. Seale is exactly right to label four-year degree attainment an equity issue. Are there some with four-year degrees who struggle economically? Of course. Are there some without four-year degrees who are economically well off? Also, of […]
Reforming capitalism through employer mandates
In our state policy agenda we advocate for augmenting wages and benefits through some combination of employer mandates and/or a strengthened safety net. And note that the employer mandate recommendations is the area where we have the most disagreement amongst the Michigan Future board and staff. What is clear to us is that Michigan cannot […]