Guest Commentary

The water affordability legislation before the Michigan Legislature is a commonsense approach to help low-income families and seniors when they need it most.

These policies ignore the realities of running a small business. Owners already stretched thin by inflation and workforce shortages will now face added costs and confusing compliance hurdles.

In Michigan, PFAS are allowed in any product, from furniture to makeup and firefighting foam. Our Legislature should and can do more.

We advocate for its passage in Michigan, not as a political position, but as a moral imperative. It is within Michigan’s power to chart a new path toward a more inclusive democracy.

We have an opportunity to prioritize localized services and ensure we are deflecting low-risk youth away from the juvenile justice system.

Deploying our state’s resources in baseless activist cases is inappropriate, especially given that they target energy producers that Michiganders continue to depend on for their livelihoods.

Fall enrollment figures boost confidence in our state’s ability to produce the talent pipeline needed to power Michigan’s economy forward.

Michigan should invest in universal representation, ensuring that no immigrant faces immigration court without a lawyer. It’s not just about legal defense; it’s about fairness, equity and human dignity.

An agonizing decision would be made easier with the option that allows voters to rank their choices, rather than simply vote for one. It works in Maine and Alaska and would work in Michigan too.

Getting here took a dedicated effort from lawmakers, teachers, advocates, parents and students who worked together.

Nobody knows for sure what will happen on Election Day. But the momentum gathering around local public health’s goals will not slow as a result.

If we fail to act, the costs will be staggering — not just for individual families but for our entire society.

Elections have multiple safeguards, but it’s not the job of those who certify votes. No matter the outcome, let’s stand up for the rule of law.

A bill under consideration in the Michigan Legislature offers a crucial opportunity to re-evaluate lengthy sentences and provide a pathway for rehabilitation and redemption.

Key recommendations include improving long-term utility planning to enable grid investments to support charging infrastructure, passing a Clean Fuel Standard and providing more incentives for individuals and businesses seeking to purchase EVs and EV chargers.

Demand reduction strategies are vital for reducing the long-term incidence of substance use disorders, especially among our state’s vulnerable minority populations.

By listening to the needs of school-based personnel in our state, we can work collectively to develop strategies that support positive youth development and ensure students concentrate on learning.

Michigan has the chance to lead by example, demonstrating that it values justice and the rights of all its citizens.

The greatest strength of community solar is its ability to reach populations living in multifamily and rental housing, where ‘rooftop solar remains nearly inaccessible’ to these populations.

Safeguards only put people at ease when they trust the entity creating them and that the people within those entities will enforce them.