California vs Indiana
In my last post we explored how is it that Time magazine could do a cover story on California's bright future economic prospects despite a dysfunctional state government and business unfriendly policies. The stuff that conventional wisdom believes is vital to a state's economy. Lets look at a state that many in Michigan think get policy right: Indiana. For decades…
What Do Students Think Is Working – Entrepreneurship
The Kauffman Foundation recently had a Wall Street Journal Editorial on Friday that indicated all net job creation in the US since 1980 occurred in firms less than five years old. With unemployment over 15% in Michigan, we need new businesses to drive economic growth. Fortunately, evidence tells me that a major shift is happening in how students in Michigan…
California Ascendant?
Time Magazine recently published a thought provoking cover story on California. Its worth reading, thinking about and debating. Because if its right – as I believe it is – most everything we think drives state economic growth is wrong. The article argues that California is and will be in the future a leader in economic growth. With lots of data…
Texas Research Universities Initiative
Little noticed in yesterday's election was the adoption, by a 55%-45% margin, of a $500 million fund to create more Tier One research universities in Texas. It was supported by both parties - including a very conservative Governor. Their goal is to have as many top notch research universities as other big population states like New York and California. Why?…
How Do We Grow?
A couple of recent news articles struck me as representing where the Michigan is now and how we might turn it around. The first is from Brian O'Connor at the Detroit News on how Michigan is in for another decade of slow growth at best. It quotes some of the best economists on the Michigan economy – including my colleague…