While states in America's south and west are booming, Michigan's population today is smaller than it was 20 years ago. Blue-ribbon councils and Lansing politicians talk about the need to get Michigan growing again, but key indicators show our state continues to spin its wheels and dig even deeper into the muck. Some believe Michigan is doomed due to its winter climate, but other cold-weather states have found strategies to prosper.
Please join the Mackinac Center for cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres and an informative discussion on the lessons Michigan can apply from states that are succeeding in attracting job-seekers, families and businesses.
Thursday, July 18, 2024
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
One Nation Tap and Table
544 W. Columbia Ave.
Battle Creek, MI 49015
Call our Events office at
This event is $10 per attendee, with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres included.
RSVP is required by July 11
Register online
Michael LaFaive is the senior director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, where he has worked since 1995.
He is perhaps best known for his scholarly work examining state “economic development” programs. His studies and frequent commentaries on this topic have garnered him a national reputation as a respected critic of state and local government economic development policies.
Meg Tuszynski is the assistant director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom, and is also a research assistant professor with the Bridwell Institute. Her research focuses primarily on the determinants and correlates of economic freedom. A second, but related, strand of research focuses on potential for private, philanthropic organizations to provide viable alternatives to public poverty relief programs. Before joining the Bridwell Institute, Meg was the program manager for the Spending and Budget Initiative at the Mercatus Center. She earned her PhD and MA in economics, and a dual BA in philosophy and economics, from George Mason University. Her research interests include Austrian economics, public choice, new institutional economics and political economy.
Michael Van Beek is director of research for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He has authored several studies for the Center as well as analysis and commentaries that have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Detroit News, the Detroit Free Press, The Grand Rapids Press, The Oakland Press and elsewhere.
