![[Photo of Jarrett Skorup]](/media/images/2016/sizes/150x200/Skorup_med.png)
Jarrett Skorup
Policy Analyst
Jarrett Skorup is a policy analyst and Digital Engagement Manager at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He is also the content manager for Michigan Capitol Confidential. 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. He was a student fellow at the Center for Vision & Values, the school's research and scholarship think tank.
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, Bears and Bulls. Besides studying and writing about public policy, he officiates high school wrestling. In his free time, Skorup also 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.
From Jarrett Skorup
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
How Forfeiture Should Work in Michigan
New Mexico and Nebraska limit forfeiture to criminal cases … more
Let Consumers Use Plastic Bags
New bill would prevent local governments from overregulating grocers … more
The Evidence is Clear: State Spending on Colleges is Wasteful
Michigan increases higher education spending by tens of millions … more
Communities Consider Risky Municipal Broadband
Local governments should get out of the way of private providers … more
What’s Your Bubble? A Think Tank Checks Its Privilege
The ‘bubble score’ of Mackinac Center staff … more
Michigan Needs To Stop Charging Residents To Get Their Property Back
Mackinac Center analyst authors op-ed in Detroit Free Press … more
Stopping University Tuition Hikes Would Cost Nearly $3 Billion
Spending at Michigan public colleges is skyrocketing … more
Detroit Mayor Says His Commission Will Be Independent While His City Discriminates
Be wary of limiting competition in a failing school district … more
Why Michigan Needs Electioneering Reform
MLive publishes Mackinac Center policy analyst’s take … more
Michigan House Passes Bill Eliminating Forfeiture Bonding
Would repeal a requirement that people post a bond to recover property that was sized without a criminal conviction … more
Detroit Receives Friendly Airbnb Ranking
Here’s the best regulatory approach for the state … more
March Madness Betting Pools are Illegal in Michigan
Bet with friends at your own risk … more
Acton Wins Tax Dispute in Grand Rapids
City unfairly targeted the group … more
State Licensing Laws Affecting Where People Choose to Live
Another reason to loosen labor regulations … more
Don’t Limit Workers’ Right to Work
Bill would allow employees to vote on right-to-work … more
Myth-Busting the Michigan 'Gag Order' Law
What Senate Bill 571 actually does … more
Michigan Can Do More On Occupational Licensing
Free event in Lansing next month … more
Unions Do Not Benefit All Employees
Friedrichs is a case study in how unions can benefit some at the expense of others … more
How Local Governments Advocate for Tax Increases
Senate bill 571 looks to curb abuses … more
Do You Feel Endangered When You Travel Out of State?
Licensing laws are arbitrary … more
Why is it Better to be Middle Class Than Upper Class?
Income inequality is not the real problem … more
Republicans Backtracking on Previous Good Tax Work
Shooting more holes in the tax code with data center deal … more
Lawmakers Rushing Through Special Tax Breaks
Taxpayers shouldn't subsidize Steelcase pyramid deal … more
Stopping Special Union Deals in Michigan
Two important bills have passed the state Senate … more
China’s One-Child Policy and the ‘Ultimate Resource’
The costs of China's recently-lifted reproductive restrictions … more
Forfeiture: What Next?
Take a look at bonding … more
Senate Votes for Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Detroit Free Press quotes Skorup on development … more
Unanimous Forfeiture Vote Brings Greater Transparency and Accountability
'These bills are a great first step…' … more
Why Believers in Limited Government Should Support Forfeiture Reform
Why the right should support forfeiture reform in Michigan … more
State Media Covers Push for Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Mackinac Center releases study with ACLU of Michigan … more
ACLU, Mackinac Center Report Calls on State to End Civil Forfeiture
Study shows abuses of government power on innocent citizens … more
Civil Forfeiture in Michigan: A Review and Recommendations for Reforms
Forfeiture is a practice by which law enforcement transfers assets – cash, vehicles, homes, etc. – from private citizens to the government. Criminal forfeiture occurs after the conviction of a person and is widely-accepted as legitimate.
The problem is with civil forfeiture.
Civil forfeiture occurs outside of the criminal justice system and does not require a conviction of a crime. This has led to instances of abuse in Michigan, which has among the lowest-rated forfeiture laws in the United States. The Mackinac Center believes property should only be transferred from citizens to the government after a criminal conviction is secured.
This study explains how civil forfeiture works, how it differs from criminal forfeiture and what reforms state policymakers should consider in order to protect the rights of Michigan residents. … more
The problem is with civil forfeiture.
Civil forfeiture occurs outside of the criminal justice system and does not require a conviction of a crime. This has led to instances of abuse in Michigan, which has among the lowest-rated forfeiture laws in the United States. The Mackinac Center believes property should only be transferred from citizens to the government after a criminal conviction is secured.
This study explains how civil forfeiture works, how it differs from criminal forfeiture and what reforms state policymakers should consider in order to protect the rights of Michigan residents. … more
Skorup Joins Steve Gruber for Forfeiture Discussion
Bills on forfeiture working through legislature … more
Michigan Taxpayers Spend Over $3 Million a Year on Union Release Time
Mackinac Center releases new data for union time on the taxpayer dime … more
You’re in the 1 Percent
We can have policy differences while keeping perspective … more
Government Price Controllers Can’t Make Up Their Minds
Supermarket chain investigated for low prices … more
Senate Judiciary Passes Forfeiture Transparency Bills
Bills move on to full Senate … more
Actually, Michiganders are Better off Than Their Parents
Today's Michiganders aren't better off? Don't believe it. … more
More Government Spending Equals Higher Prices
College costs exploding … more
Mackinac Center Policy Analyst, Congressman Walberg Discuss Civil Forfeiture
Google Hangout on the topic tonight … more
New White House Report Highlights Occupational Licensing Problems
Unnecessary regulations reduce employment and raise prices … more
Skorup Quoted in Lansing State Journal
Report on reducing costs in Michigan's prison system … more
National Group Gives Michigan a ‘D’ for Forfeiture Laws
Bills that would raise that grade languish in legislature … more
There is Plenty of Money in the Budget for Roads
It’s all about legislative priorities … more
Skorup Film Subsidy Op-Ed Published in Wall Street Journal
Celebrating the death of a corporate welfare program … more
National Conservative Groups Push to End Civil Asset Forfeiture
Is Michigan’s GOP Legislature listening? … more
Requiring Unions to Pay for Their Own Employees Saves Taxpayer Money
Senate Bill 280 takes union leaders off the public payroll … more
Michigan Film Incentives ‘All But Dead’
But if the MEDC wants them, it can keep them … more
CAPPS Report Lays Out Some Solid Criminal Justice Reforms
Michigan can reform prison policies without endangering the public … more
The Problem of Corporate Welfare
Corporate welfare leaves smaller companies to struggle … more
Government Spending on Universities Rise, Tuition Hikes Follow
Increased spending on public universities doesn't pay off for the economy or education. … more
House Republicans Should be Applauded for Trying to Cut ‘21st Century Jobs Fund’
The 21st Century Jobs fund has repeatedly failed in its objectives, and any efforts to cut it would be positive. … more
Graduated Income Tax Won’t Help Income Inequality
Changing from a flat income tax to a graduated income tax will not improve income equality in Michigan. … more
House Judiciary Passes Civil Forfeiture Reform Bills
Progress on reforming civil asset forfeiture … more
You Don’t Need $92,000 a Year to be 'Economically Stable'
New report distorts the level of economic hardships in Michigan … more
Michigan's Economic Recovery More Than Just the Auto Industry
Non-auto manufacturing has made a huge comeback … more
