Michigan Policy Wonk

Our weekly round-up of policy-relevant reads and IPPSR-connected research.

Problems:

• Detroit students’ education take back seat in funding talks. IPPSR affiliate David Arsen comments on the extraordinary challenges Detroit faces, including teacher payroll shortages, deteriorating buildings, and overall shortcomings in quality of education. 
• Michigan gets ‘F’ for tracking teachers. IPPSR affiliate Joshua Cowen comments on Michigan’s lack of an accountability system to track a teachers’ disciplinary history.
• Inland fisheries’ importance underrated, study says. IPPSR affiliate Eric Freedman authors this piece on Great Lakes fisheries’ importance as indicators of global food and economic security.

Policy:

• Why are Michigan's roads crumbling? Economist says it's because we collect less money to fix them. IPPSR affiliate Charley Ballard talks about Michigan’s infrastructure problems at Issues and Ale hosted by Michigan radio.
• Do school vouchers improve results? It depends on what we ask. Joshua Cowen, IPPSR affiliate, authored this article on school vouchers, which originally appeared at The Conversation.
• Sexy ideas won’t slow climate change if people don’t buy in and buy them. IPPSR affiliate Tom Dietz’s research on the challenges of implementing climate change-related policy is highlighted.

Politics:

• The ultimate reading list for understanding Donald Trump. IPPSR Director Matt Grossman’s research cited in this round-up of Trump-relevant reads. 
• Flint's Dr. Mona: Why didn't Obama bring more resources to fix problem? Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, whistleblower to the Flint Water Crisis and IPPSR Forum speaker, reacts to President Obama’s Flint visit.
• Matt Grossmann interview on IPPSR, Michigan politics, and research at the Ballenger Report podcast.