![[Photo of Jarrett Skorup]](/media/images/2016/sizes/150x200/Skorup_med.png)
Jarrett Skorup
Marketing and Strategic Outreach Manager
Jarrett Skorup is the Marketing and Strategic Outreach Manager at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. In this role, he is in charge of marketing efforts and overseeing policy campaigns and objectives. Prior to his current position, Skorup was a research associate at the Center.
Skorup is a graduate of Grove City College with degrees in history and political science. He also studied economics and religion. While there, he was captain of the college's wrestling and Ultimate Frisbee teams.
His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, MLive, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, and many newspapers across the country.
A native of Sandwich, Illinois, Skorup is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He also officiates high school wrestling and enjoys fishing. In his free time, Skorup volunteers with his church, serves on committees with the local Chamber of Commerce, and works in the schools through Junior Achievement.
He lives in Midland, MI with his wife, Karen, and children Grayson and Reagan.
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From Jarrett Skorup
How a Private Arts Festival Thrives
ArtPrize is in its ninth year … more
Legislature Takes Aim at Rolling Back Harmful Licensing Laws
These proposals would free up citizens to work, earn money … more
Flatten the Tax Code
Select tax breaks aren’t the answer to our tax problems … more
The Key Barriers Promoting Inequality
Some agreement between the left and the right … more
Unions Try to Kill a Private Trade School
But Greater Michigan Construction Academy is a success … more
Trump Labor Secretary Joins Bipartisan Call for Licensure Reform
Obama administration also wanted changes … more
As Feds Expand Forfeiture, Michigan Looks to Restrict It
Preserving property rights is essential … more
A Solution to Local Government Debt
Pension and retiree health care liabilities are in crisis and the time to act is now … more
Why Does Michigan License Painters?
Few other states do … more
Traverse City Should Avoid Risky Public Internet
Most municipal broadband projects losing money … more
Skorup Speaks on ‘Good Jobs’ Proposal Before Michigan House Committee
These bills provide more opportunities for some by taking from the many. … more
Why Michigan Has a Pension Problem
Everyone wants to avoid responsibilities on retiree benefits … more
Let People Rent Out Their Property
New bills would let homeowners use Airbnb, other services … more
Michigan Congressmen Introduce Bipartisan Licensing Bill
Sen. Peters, Rep. Walberg working together to remove needless barriers to employment … more
‘Fact Check’ on Higher Education Piece Falls Flat
State aid for colleges still wasteful … more
It’s Time for Michigan to End Civil Forfeiture
The state takes at least $20 million a year from Michiganders … more
Michigan’s Public Pensions Are at Risk
Office of Retirement Services must explain appearance of poor management … more
Don’t Bring Back Granholm’s Tax Credit Legacy
Legislators are considering it … more
Michigan’s Regulatory Laws Lead to Fewer Jobs, More Crime
Licensing rules are a criminal justice issue … more
Michigan Should Reject Special Corporate Developer Bills
Senate bills 111-115 being considered … more
License to (Not) Work: Mackinac Center Releases New Study on Occupational Licensing
Assessing the impact of arbitrary licensing laws on the Michigan economy … more
This Isn’t Working: How Michigan’s Licensing Laws Hurt Workers and Consumers
Click here for a PDF of the full study.
The Declaration of Independence lists the “pursuit of happiness” as one of Americans’ “unalienable rights.” For most, this includes the ability to pursue a vocation of their choice. But occupational licensure laws stand in the way of many people trying to exercise this right. For too many people, the right to pursue their dreams has been halted by governments that require them to jump through hoops, pay fees and meet other often arbitrary and inconsistent requirements.
This report gathers data on every occupational license in Michigan. It describes the impact and costs of licensure laws, as documented in the empirical research that has been conducted on this issue. It explains how and why licensing requirements are typically created, but also outlines some of the fundamental problems with a broad licensing regime. Finally, it compares Michigan’s licensing requirements to those of other states and makes recommendations for how the state could reform occupational licensure for the benefit of job-seekers and entrepreneurs and for the state’s economy as a whole. … more
The Declaration of Independence lists the “pursuit of happiness” as one of Americans’ “unalienable rights.” For most, this includes the ability to pursue a vocation of their choice. But occupational licensure laws stand in the way of many people trying to exercise this right. For too many people, the right to pursue their dreams has been halted by governments that require them to jump through hoops, pay fees and meet other often arbitrary and inconsistent requirements.
This report gathers data on every occupational license in Michigan. It describes the impact and costs of licensure laws, as documented in the empirical research that has been conducted on this issue. It explains how and why licensing requirements are typically created, but also outlines some of the fundamental problems with a broad licensing regime. Finally, it compares Michigan’s licensing requirements to those of other states and makes recommendations for how the state could reform occupational licensure for the benefit of job-seekers and entrepreneurs and for the state’s economy as a whole. … more
How We Use FOIA to Hold Government Accountable
Happy ‘Sunshine Week’ 2017 … more
Justice Clarence Thomas Takes a Broadside at Civil Forfeiture
Forfeiture is a big issue in Michigan … more
More Transparency on the Way in Michigan
Bills would subject legislators, governor to FOIA and require salaries be made public … more
Union Behind Michigan ‘Dues Skim’ Facing More Corruption Allegations
SEIU Healthcare Michigan has a history of problems … more
Michigan Legislators Don’t Receive Pensions
Now let’s solve the problem for the rest of government workers … more
Michigan Education Association Losing Members, Increasing Debt
Union named one of five most ‘financially precarious’ … more
To Boost Jobs in Detroit, Cut Regulations
Why the Motor City has so few plumbers … more
Pushing Back Against Government Takings
New bill would provide remedy for property violations … more
House Republican Policy Plan Lays the Groundwork for Action
Pensions, education, criminal justice all areas ripe for change … more
Why Michigan Licensing Laws Are So Destructive
Everything you need to know about occupational regulations in the Great Lakes State … more
School Hosts Advocacy Session for Tax Hike in Front of Students
Politicking on the taxpayer dime … more
Trump is Wrong on Civil Forfeiture
State should stop this end-run around the Constitution … more
Cheers for Detroit Schools Transparency
District has come a long way … more
Michigan Should End Civil Asset Forfeiture
Require a criminal conviction before taking people’s property … more
Mackinac Center, ACLU Applaud New Forfeiture Bill
But call on state to require conviction … more
A Salute to Thomas Sowell
The great economist is retiring … more
Why Are Michigan House Republicans Continuing These Union Scams?
New Legislature should take up pension spiking, release time in 2017 … more
Michigan Chips Away at Unjust Forfeiture Process
Citizens are no longer required to pay an upfront bond … more
Licensing Lobbyists Say Rolling Back Interior Designer Rules Will Cost Lives
Florida fight shows how ridiculous many regulations are … more
Michigan Legislature Set to End Union Schemes
Special ‘release time’ and pension spiking arrangements unfair to taxpayers … more
Why School Choice is So Valuable
Detroit Schools doesn’t expect academic progress for a decade … more
How the New York Times Distorts the Performance of Detroit Charters
Best available research shows Detroit charter schools are successful … more
Labor Reform Wins Big on Election Day
Mackinac experts discuss results in Wall Street Journal, others … more
Michigan Considers Freeing Up Uber and Taxis
Ridesharing companies, taxis and limos would compete on level playing field … more
Detroit’s Taxes, Regulations Keeping It Down
Skorup pens op-ed in The Detroit News … more
Government Official Denigrates Citizen for Seeking Public Information
FOIA is a legitimate accountability tool … more
Back to the Future for Taxpayer Stadium Funding in Detroit
Legislators should stand firm against special deals … more
Lawsuit Filed to Fight Michigan’s Ban on Tesla Sales
Skorup weighs in with USA Today and the Detroit Free Press … more
Union Survey: Michigan Teachers Want Pension Reform
Only 12.2 percent of MEA members feel they will have a comfortable retirement … more
Michigan Must Stop Keeping Peoples’ Property Without Conviction
Skorup discusses civil forfeiture on Michigan Radio … more
An Opening for Michigan Licensing Reform
When the state asks for higher fees, repeal the mandates … more
What You Owe for Pensions
Michigan governments hold $3,800 per person in pension debt … more
Detroit Should Lessen Licensing Requirements
Mackinac Center op-ed published in Wall Street Journal … more
Trump and Clinton are Both Wrong: Free Trade is Good for People
The benefits of trade in Michigan … more
Worker’s Choice Popular in Michigan, Nationwide
National Employee Freedom Week poll finds overwhelming support of idea … more
Couple Could Lose Their Home Through Civil Forfeiture
Government confiscates thousands of dollars without filing charges … more
Michigan’s Auto Sales Regulations Lead to Higher Prices
Free Press covers direct auto sales debate … more
A Federal Bill to Loosen Licensing Requirements
And a step for Michigan to follow suit … more
Vet Saves Dog's Life, Family is Happy – State Sanctions Him
The problem with occupational licensing … more
Snyder’s Veto of Aftermarket Auto Parts Bill a Win for Consumers
MLive covers defeat of anti-competition bill … more
Clarifying Detroit Schools Release Time Policy
Judge Rhodes points out oversight in op-ed … more
Tackle Licensing for Good Policy in Michigan
New York Times covers fight to allow people to work … more
Gov. Snyder Vetoes Bill Limiting Consumer Auto Parts Choices
HB 4344 would have increased red tape for consumers and businesses … more
Taxpayers Spend Millions A Year on Union Activities
Op-ed in The Detroit News addresses union release time … more
Legislature Makes it More Difficult to Use Inexpensive Car Parts
Will Gov. Snyder veto the bill? … more
Detroit Charter Schools Spend Way Less Money and Get Way Better Results
Just look at the evidence … more
Taxpayers Should Not Be on the Hook for Stadiums
Bill Simmons gets it right … more
