When it comes to economic growth and finding an economic partner, it seems Michigan and China have a serious relationship. Last year, Michigan exported more than $3 billion worth of goods and services to China, only behind Canada and Mexico. We took a look at these economic ties and what they mean for the future.
And, we met a 17-year-old who is trying to keep her community clean, one trash bag at a time.
Also, we spoke with Bruce Katz, vice president of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and co-author of the new book “The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros are Fixing our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy,” about rebuilding Detroit.
First on the show, tomorrow is primary election day. Detroit's primary is getting most of the attention, but there are local elections happening in many areas of the state on Tuesday.
In Flint, voters are choosing among two dozen candidates to fill largely powerless city council seats.
Flint has been under the control of an emergency manager since December of 2011. But while Flint city council members wield little power now, that may soon change.
Flint is taking steps to come out from under state oversight and that could happen late next year, so the Flint city council members elected from the field of Tuesday’s primary candidates may eventually have actual power to shape their city.
Voters are also casting primary ballots in parts of Lansing, Jackson, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.
In all, voters in more than 50 Michigan counties will be casting ballots on Tuesday.
In Detroit, the stakes have never been higher because of the bankruptcy.
Detroit Free Press editorial writer Nancy Kaffer joined us today to give us a preview of the election.
