Anderson Economic Group
IN THE NEWS

5-10-23 Opinion piece by Patrick L. Anderson (note: opinions reflect Mr. Anderson's personal beliefs, not necessarily those of the firm)

5-8-23 There’ve been many twists and turns in the quest to create whitewater recreation in downtown Grand Rapids.

5-4-23 The electric vehicle debate: are the Big 3 and the industry are ready to make the plunge? Patrick Anderson appears on Fox 2's "Let it Rip."

4-26-23 The maker of Jeep SUVs and Ram pickups is making a voluntary separation offer to 31,000 hourly workers and 2,500 salaried employees in North America.

4-19-23 The surging inflation of the last year and more means that Michigan homeowners are paying property tax rates not seen in at least a generation. A law on the books in Michigan dating back to the mid-1990s caps the annual increase homeowners will see on their property tax bill at 5 percent. In…

4-18-23 “The EPA’s proposed rule cites press releases ... and statements by advocacy groups as evidence that this transformation is feasible,” Anderson posted on his LinkedIn page. “This is an extremely weak basis for ordering an entire industry to close down assembly lines and shutter factories while planning to build vehicles that have not yet been designed.”

4-18-23 Other states attempting to poach people to their states is not unusual. But this advertisement points to the recent repeal of the Michigan’s Right-to-Work law.

4-18-23 The list of eligible vehicles gets shorter on April 18. The federal government is subsidizing electric vehicle purchases as it encourages manufacturers to move production from China to the U.S.

"The EPA’s proposed rule cites press releases ... as evidence that this transformation is feasible," Patrick Anderson, CEO of the East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group, said.... "This is an extremely weak basis for ordering an entire industry to close down assembly lines and shutter factories while planning to build vehicles that have not yet been designed."

4-13-23 Automakers have spent billions to get American drivers on board with electric vehicles. But supply chains and Tesla’s success threaten the revolution.

4-9-23 Because Michigan’s main source of road funding comes from fuel taxes, the state missed out on an estimated $50 million from electric vehicle drivers between 2019 and 2021, according to Anderson Economic Group for the County Road Association of Michigan.

4-3-23 The Detroit River is a busy shipping lane, but there weren’t a lot of ports available until now.

3-31-23 Gretchen Whitmer made addressing the state’s crumbling roads a rallying cry in her first, successful run for governor. But the issue appears to be on the backburner for now as Democrats pursue other legislative priorities.

3-24-23 President Biden lauded the Inflation Reduction Act for offering U.S. tax credits on Canadian-assembled electric vehicles during a speech at the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa Friday.

3-19-22 What's next? Repealing Michigan's right-to-work law is "symbolic, it's important and it will be noticed by every manufacturer in the United States," Patrick Anderson, CEO of the East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group, told The Detroit News. "Our job ... just got a lot harder."

3-17-22 The national average cost for a gallon of gas held steady at $3.46, even as oil prices plunged to levels not seen since August 2021, AAA said.

3-14-23 Anderson Economic Group Founder and CEO Patrick Anderson talks with Guy Gordon about the slowing increases in the Consumer Price Index, and the impact that the banking crisis might have on inflation moving forward.

Homeowners statewide will see at least a 5% increase when their summer property tax bills arrive in July, the highest jump in 28 years.

3-8-23 "I spoke with Anderson last year and he predicted then that the inflation adjustment for 2023 was already "baked in at 5%" for this year, given that inflation was extraordinarily high in 2022."

3-2-23 The writer, a Los Angeles freelancer and former Detroit News business reporter, blogs at Starkman Approved. This column first appeared on his blog.

2-28-23 Reductions come amid EV push -- and a month after top executives said the company wasn’t planning any layoffs this year despite economic pressures.

2-23-23 “Michigan's . . . auto industry is still our single most important industry and it's still very sensitive to economic health,” [Anderson] said. “Because its main product is sold to people who only buy a car when they feel confident enough to borrow money for the next three or four years.”

2-21-23 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed $79 billion budget aims to allocate $10 million to transition the state’s automotive fleet to electric vehicles.

2-21-23 Utah has joined other state lawmakers in amending laws to make money off of electric vehicle (EV) use to put toward road construction and maintenance.…

2-12-23 ...there is sometimes a mismatch between what is paid and what services a taxpayer gets in return, said Patrick Anderson, principal and CEO of the Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing.

2-10-23 A report shows drivers of electric vehicles have more difficulty finding a charging station, even as demand increases. Fast charging stations are highly concentrated in urban areas across lower Michigan and not rural areas.

2-9-23 Funding for Michigan roads is in jeopardy. That’s according to a new study looking at how the switch to electric vehicles could impact Michigan roads.

2-9-23 Electric-car charging is getting worse when it needs to be massively improving if the industry wants to win over new customers.

2-7-23 A recent study by the Anderson Economic Group found the cost to fuel certain electric vehicles to be higher than…

2-4-23 According to a new study from the Anderson Economic Group, rising electricity prices—combined with softer gas prices—made EVs more expensive to fuel than gas-powered cars at the end of 2022.

2-2-23 Prospective EV-buyers shouldn’t lean on range to decide on going electric. They should dive into other variables, like ease of charging and cost.

2-1-23 Anderson Economic Group found, “In Q4 2022, typical mid-priced [internal combustion engine] car drivers paid about $11.29 to fuel their vehicles for 100 miles of driving. That cost was around $0.31 cheaper than the amount paid by mid-priced EV drivers charging mostly at home”

2-1-23 Over three-quarters of Michigan residents still lack easy access to public fast EV charging stations despite recent additions to charging infrastructure across the state, a Michigan think tank said in a report. Focused primarily on DC fast charging, a report from Anderson Economic Group on the…

1-31-23 Patrick Anderson, CEO of East Lansing-based consulting firm Anderson Economic Group, said the profit-sharing checks will be “a welcome bonus to many autoworkers in Metro Detroit...”

1-30-23 The stance is notable among manufacturing-heavy states, but other factors are a drag on its attempts to attract businesses.

1-30-23 It was cheaper to fuel a gas-powered car for 100 miles than it was to charge a comparable electric vehicle in late 2022, according to Anderson Economic Group.

1-27-23 Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., last week introduced legislation — dubbed the American Vehicle Security Act — that would amend the Inflation Reduction Act’s consumer tax credit for new EVs so that the effective date of the required EV battery sourcing is no longer tied to Treasury’s release of proposed g…

1-26-23 Chasing "smokestacks," said Patrick Anderson, CEO of the East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group, should not be the top goal. Building technological competence that can rival or surpass China and its Asian competitors — and assemble the finished product — is the richer target.

1-25-23 "The run-up in gas prices made EVs look like a bargain during much of 2021 and 2022," AEG's Patrick Anderson said. "With electric prices going up and gas prices declining, drivers of traditional ICE vehicles saved a little bit of money in the last quarter of 2022."

1-25-23 Deadhead miles and opportunity costs make electric vehicle ownership dramatically more expensive than just your average car powered by a gas engine.

1-25-23 A new report says states will need to find new ways to fund road maintenance. Currently, Michigan pays for road construction with a tax on gasoline and diesel, but as more electric vehicles take to the road, the highway fund is expected to shrink by tens of millions of dollars. Report author Patrick…

1-24-23 Patrick Anderson, CEO of the Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing, said the new proposal represented "a complete, open exemption" for government employee pensions.

1-24-23 The used EV market largely only has data on Tesla to lean on. But what used EV-buyers are willing to pay, and technology, will change.

1-23-23 Electric vehicles pay a surcharge on registration fees. Nearly everyone believes there are fairer ways to assess a fee to help pay for roads. Choosing one is the difficult part.

1-20-23 Most experts agree putting more electric vehicles on the road is a major step toward fighting climate change, but a new report says states will also need to find new ways to fund road maintenance. Currently, Michigan pays for road construction with a tax on gasoline and diesel, but as more electric…

1-20-23 "We've consistently talked about the time burden and the cost burden for installation and other requirements for electric vehicle owners as a significant impediment to driving an electric vehicle," said Patrick Anderson, CEO of consultancy Anderson Economic Group. "This is a significant barrier to mass adoption of EVs."

1-19-23 A lot of would-be EV buyers are becoming more interested in the used market as a way to drive a cleaner car without a hefty price tag.

1-17-23 Electric vehicle drivers pay around 70 percent to 80 percent of what owners of traditional vehicles pay toward Michigan roads and bridges and likely put more wear and tear on pavement because EVs are about 1,000 pounds heavier, according to a study released Tuesday.The analysis…

1-17-23 With electric vehicle owners not paying the state gas tax, a coalition is calling on state lawmakers to start a pilot program forcing EV owners to contribute more to the state’s road fund.

1-17-23 Electric vehicles are on the rise in Michigan. But their increased use could mean bad news for Michigan roads if the gas tax remains the main funding source for repairs, a new report found.

1-17-23 The options face several obstacles, including privacy concerns and legislators reluctant to create new forms of taxation.

1-17-23 The Michigan Transportation Fund collected more than $3.5 billion in revenue last year with about $1.4 billion coming from diesel and gas taxes, and all-electric vehicle drivers do not contribute.

1-17-23 "Of all the taxes we levy in the country, the road tax generally is considered the most fair and the most consistent," Anderson said. "The more weight you put on the road, the more miles you drive, the more gas tax you pay."

But without a formula to capture electric vehicle road use, it becomes difficult to maintain that parity, Anderson said.

1-17-23 Leaders from across Michigan will be in Lansing to discuss a report on the impact electric vehicles will have on road funding.

1-17-23 Leaders of the coalition said if action is not taken soon, it could result in a shortfall of $95 million in that year under current policy conditions, totaling a loss of nearly half a billion dollars between now and 2030.

1-6-23 Riverbank Theatre, Marine City MI has secured the match to a $500,000 Challenge Grant offered by the Moore family.

1-3-23 Lynn Family Stadium opened as the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 and since then has hosted games for the professional Louisville City and Racing Louisville teams. But no other work

12-15-22 “It’s not fair to tell people in Michigan to stock up their shelves and build vehicles and cars and everything else to sell, when we are right on the cusp of a recession,” said Anderson Economic Group Founder and CEO Patrick Anderson to 760 WJR’s Tom Jordan and Kevin Dietz.

12-12-22 Nearly two-thirds of all cannabis in Michigan is from illicit sources, according to the Anderson Economic Group study. This cannabis hasn't been tested or held to the rigorous standards of the regulated market, creating an immediate threat to public health. Making matters worse, we continue to see licensed cannabis operators providing illicit or untested product, further threatening to destabilize the regulated market.

12-12-22 Economists quibble about what constitutes an economic recession while inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues make life difficult.

12-11-22 Since then, there's been a consistent downward trend for that rate, dropping to its low of 56.6% in April 2020, Tyler Marie Theile, chief operating officer and director of public policy for East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group, reports, based on her analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

12-6-2022 An analysis from the Anderson Economic Group projected US workers and consumers could see losses of $1 billion over the first week of a strike.

12-5-2022 Detroit Casinos Miss U.S. Gaming Surge; Can They Recover?

12-1-22 The Senate on Thursday passed legislation to avert a rail shutdown following a grave warning from President Joe Biden about the economic danger posed by a strike.

12-1-22 Michigan’s Big Show - Michael Patrick Shiels’ personality-based, news making show covers state, national and international politics in a non-partisan manner. Michael Patrick skillfully mixes politics,

11-30-22 The House on Wednesday approved legislation to avert a rail shutdown following a grave warning from President Joe Biden about the economic danger posed by congressional inaction.

11-30-22 In Washington on Wednesday, U.S. House lawmakers voted to adopt​ a tentative agreement to block the potentially devastating strike.

11-30-22 According to experts, Michigan’s auto and agriculture industries would be hit hardest in a rail strike.

11-30-22 A freight rail strike could cost the US economy $1 billion in its first week alone, according to a new analysis from the Anderson Economic Group. -- Paul LeBlanc, CNN

11-29-22 President urges Congress to impose deal on rail industry workers – follow all the latest politics news

11-29-22 The strike would disrupt the flow of goods as trains carry about 17% of the state’s freight, a Michigan report shows

11-29-22 Worried about the economic consequences of a rail strike, Biden has asked Congress to intervene in a labor dispute.

11-29-22 Biden has said he wants to be the most “pro-union president” ever

11-29-22 By Chris Isidore and Matt McFarland, CNN Business

11-29-22 President Biden and Democratic congressional leaders joined Republicans on Tuesday in supporting legislation that would avert a nationwide rail strike before the holidays.

11-29-22 President Joe Biden called on Congress to quickly pass a tentative agreement between railroad workers and operators - without any modifications or delay - “to avert a potentially crippling national...

11-28-22 Several rail workers’ unions have not approved a new contract. The Biden administration is trying to broker a deal to avoid a strike that could start December 9.

11-27-22 If a strike does happen, it could cost the economy $1 billion in its first week alone. That's according to new estimates by the Anderson Economic Group.

11-26-22 So once again the nation and its economy is facing the risk of a massive freight railroad strike, this one as soon as Dec. 9. But about the only thing you don’t need to worry about it is whether it will affect your holiday shopping plans. (It won’t.)

11-22-22 Proposals that would exacerbate rising costs are being pursued at both the federal and state levels. Government officials are backing policy decisions that would translate into fewer schools, roads, and fighter jets being built in the U.S.

11-15-22 A 2015 study produced by the East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group found that the state’s prevailing wage law, which was repealed in 2018, drove up construction costs for Michigan school districts by $126.7 million annually.

11-4-22 Looking to help another round of entrepreneurs, Grand Rapids-based cannabis company Fluresh opened the third year of its business incubator, the Cannabis Entrepreneur Program.

10-31-22 Interest rates have been "historically low" for much of the last two decades, said Patrick Anderson, CEO of the Anderson Economic Group. Now, interest rates have gone up, along with inflation. That will make any school bond proposal that passes more expensive to pay off than if it had passed a year or two ago, Anderson said.

10-22-22 ...there’s an unlicensed marijuana market putting pressure on prices through competition that’s nearly impossible to quantify. A study issued by the Anderson Economic Group in 2021 estimated only a third of all marijuana purchases are conducted through licensed commercial sales.

10-17-22 Michigan has the strictest term limits and the requires the least financial transparency from elected officials of any state in the U.S. Proposal 1 would change that on both accounts.

10-17-22 “For a lot of them, it will be a huge relief in terms of the economic burden,” said Alston D’Souza, an analyst and data scientist from Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group.

10-14-22 Now that recreational marijuana prices have collapsed and margins have evaporated, Michigan’s legal marijuana industry is all in on rooting out bad seeds.

10-10-22 'The cost will grow geometrically the longer the strike lasts,' said Patrick Anderson, of Anderson Economic Group. 'After a week, you'd see real damage in the US economy.'

10-7-22 Despite fluctuating gas prices, summer peak energy prices hit electric vehicle drivers harder in July, August and September.

10-5-22 "When General Motors and Ford were searching for subsidies for their plants, they were asking the state to take a risk on that particular technology and that particular site, but they weren't asking them to take a big risk on the company or on the industry or on the ability of that management to execute what was needed," said Patrick Anderson, CEO of East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group.

"I am excited when Michigan gets real investment by credible parties that want to be part of our future success. What I fear here is that it's Michigan taxpayers taking all of the risks."

9-28-22 As much as Michigan might welcome Gotion, it needs to carefully vet the project before granting such a large tax write-off, said Patrick Anderson, principal and CEO of Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing.

9-28-22 How will President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan effect Michigan's economy? Tyler Theile crunches the numbers.

9-27-22 Recession, bear market, interest rates - Patrick Anderson outlines the risks facing our current economy.

9-22-22 More school districts have pushed their start dates up, trending away from what tourism stakeholders have advocated for and the historical norm, which is to start school after the federal holiday Labor Day.

9-21-22 The Inflation Reduction Act’s electric vehicle tax credits will negatively impact the sales of EVs for the first two years, according to The Anderson Economic Group’s assessment.

9-21-22 In the U.S., tipping is a heavily-practiced social custom, and over the decades, folks have only gotten generous with the amount they tip. But lately, the tradition has become luke warm, and there could be several reasons.

9-19-22 Recreational cannabis has been legal in the two states for nearly three years.

9-16-22 The Association of American Railroads . . . estimated that a strike could cost the U.S. more than $2 billion a day — though Anderson Economic Group's Patrick Anderson told CNN that projection is a "gross exaggeration."

9-15-22 The Biden administration narrowly avoided an infrastructure calamity on Thursday by brokering a tentative contract agreement between railroads and their workers, keeping the nation’s rail sys…

9-15-22 A tentative union agreement reached Wednesday night will keep the U.S. freight rail system running past the early Friday strike deadline. A strike would have been ‘a big deal’ to the state manufacturers and growers.

9-14-22 "At a week, you see real damage in the US economy," said economist Patrick Anderson of Anderson Economic Group, which conducts impact estimates on work stoppages.

9-14-22 Patrick Anderson, of Anderson Economic Group, said that the full ...

9-14-22 'The cost will grow geometrically the longer the strike lasts,' said Patrick Anderson, of Anderson Economic Group. 'After a week, you'd see real damage in the US economy.'

'If we reach a week-long strike, we're in uncharted territory,' he added.

9-14-22 Patrick Anderson, the CEO of Anderson Economic Group, says a strike won’t initially impact the average person.

“But it would affect every American by a week,” Anderson explained. “You get a geometric growth in the damage that comes to the economy.”

9-7-22 The green dream of endless renewable energy is crashing down in the worst energy crisis in generations, threatening us all with energy insecurity. Is the seemingly blind rush to EVs similarly putting Americans’ free mobility at risk? Unless we rethink things, the answer is yes.

9-2-22 This past spring, a special interest group circulated a petition to alter Michigan’s constitutional term amendments in a clever manner. Their proposal combined a popular idea among citizens — a requirement that officeholders disclose their income and assets — with a deeply unpopular idea: repealing term limits.

When that petition drive failed, our Legislature voted to place a nearly identical proposal on the ballot, now designated as Proposal 1. The difference? Legislators kept the unpopular portion repealing term limits and watered down the disclosure requirement.

9-1-22 Where did all the workers go? The answer could lie in some age groups' still low labor force participation rate within many industries compared to pre-pandemic years, said Shay Manawar, a market and industry analyst for East Lansing-based economic consultant Anderson Economic Group.

9-1-22 Michigan’s Big Show - Michael Patrick Shiels’ personality-based, news making show covers state, national and international politics in a non-partisan manner. Michael Patrick skillfully mixes politics,

8-22-22 "We're talking about 3,000 families whose breadwinners are going to be losing their jobs right at a time when the U.S. economy is slipping into a recession and inflation is raging," said Patrick Anderson, principal and CEO of Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing.

8-18-22 From solar panels to electric vehicles, Michigan will feel the impact of a sweeping $750 billion federal bill.

8-12-22 Executives at East Lansing-based consulting firm Anderson Economic Group...point out that at least three-quarters of recent electric vehicle purchases in the United States would not qualify for purchase tax credits under the IRA due to various provisions included in the proposed law.

8-11-22 In July, Ford established 10.9% share of the EV segment.

8-11-22 Roughly 75% of the electric vehicles models available for purchase in the US...won't qualify for the subsidies, at least in the first few years, according to Michigan economist Patrick Anderson.

8-4-22 A 2015 study by Anderson Economic Group found that requiring prevailing wages for just public schools and universities cost the state’s taxpayers an additional $127 each every year over a 10-year period.

8-3-22 With gas prices remaining volatile, electric vehicles can be an attractive option for Toledo drivers hoping to cut costs by avoiding the pump altogether. ...

7-31-22 Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia is Italy’s largest sea-facing square. The vast expanse in front of Trieste’s 19-century Palazzo del Municipio offers an elevated view of the Gulf of Venice in the blue Adriatic Sea an

7-29-22 Conservative defenders of EVs must be realistic about the technology’s costs and the way those costs have been buried by EV boosters.

7-26-22 Visitor spending in Washtenaw County continues to thrive. A study . . . conducted by Anderson Economic Group . . . . highlight[ed] the enormous value of a thriving tourism industry within and around Ann Arbor.

7-22-22 Experts criticized Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s comments this week suggesting that electric vehicles could be cheaper than comparable cars during a House hearing.

Tina Dhariwal, a senior analyst with Anderson Economic Group in Chicago, said rising interest rates and homes that are selling for more than they are worth are driving down demand.

An Anderson Economic Group study projects the development could create a $15 million to $19 million annual economic impact with another $250 million in capital investments in the 10 years following its competition.

7-15-22 Michigan started 2022 with fewer jobs, lower adjusted household incomes and a lower job participation rate than before previous recessions, leaving a shakier foundation to withstand an economic downturn.

7-13-22 Economist Patrick Anderson, CEO of the Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing, has known Barr for several years and said he'd bring a "much-needed" Midwestern perspective to a Fed that for two years has been "missing signals from the heartland."

7-7-22 The typical response to a recession — increased government spending, tax rebates and interest rate cuts — would all risk making inflation worse and, as Anderson notes, might not work because the economy still lacks the capacity to absorb another huge stimulus.

7/5/22 Michigan homeowners are seeing a hike in property taxes, based on inflation, this year. But a bigger hike appears to be in the cards for 2023, too.

7/2/22 It would seem like a no brainer to switch to an electric vehicle with gas prices on the rise, but you might...

6/30/22 “American consumers are rapidly spending down their stimulus-augmented savings, and actually spent less last month than the month before,” said Patrick Anderson, CEO of economic consulting firm Anderson Economic Group. “One thing I always remember when looking at economic data: Listen to the consumer. Right now, the consumer is scared.”

6/30/22 The expansion will reduce uncertainty around shipping and logistics in the Lansing area, said Tyler Theile, vice president of Anderson Economic Group.

6/30/22 The cannabis industry has seen sales climb and prices drop almost every month since legalization. That’s good news for an ever-growing number of customers, but making the business “a grind.”

6/28/22 While businesses are scrambling for more college-educated graduates, many in Michigan find that the state’s disinvestment makes college unattainable.

6-21-22 Beer lovers now have a chance to celebrate the anniversary every Wednesday from June 29 to August 31. Those interested can enter the Experience Grand Rapids 10 years of Beer City USA contest. Winnings include a Grand Rapids beer experience, an overnight stay in a Grand Rapids hotel, two culture pass…

6-20-22 Electric vehicles are hitting the mainstream. But it’s important to do your own research before making the decision to purchase one.

6-7-22 Electric charging company FLO will build a new EV manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills.

5-25-22 Michigan finds itself in the rare spot of having more money coming into the state budget than it needs to run the state. Both Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer agree that at least some of the $6 billion in extra funds should be returned to taxpayers. But they are fa…

5-23-22 The IMF does not anticipate a global recession but warned of future downgrades and said some countries would see an increased recession risk.

5-21-22 An Anderson Economic Group forecast raised “the real possibility we will see a recession in 2022-23,” citing increasing interest rates, declining growth in the first quarter, and a drop in real earnings for the past four quarters.

5-18-22 Mid-price gas and electric vehicles both saw costs rise in the first quarter of 2022. AEG's Alston D'Souza tells us what that means for drivers.

5-9-22 A proposal that would reduce the overall amount of time lawmakers could spend in Lansing is gaining momentum in the capital city. The Voters for Transparency and Term Limits coalition wants to expand how long a lawmaker can spend in each chamber. The current limits for lawmakers are six years in the…

5-8-22 "Half the die is already cast," said Patrick Anderson, CEO of the East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group. "Where they're assembling these vehicles is the No. 1 factor in where they locate these facilities."

5-7-22 Estimating the cost of driving electric is more complicated than calculating the cost of driving a conventional car.

5-4-22 With Wednesday’s hike, the Fed is walking a fine line between cooling demand but not pushing the U.S. economy into a deep freeze.

5-4-22 Inflation is viewed by consumers as an overwhelming problem facing the nation, according to the latest University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.

4-25-22 The Anderson Economic Group study found, for drivers of luxury vehicles, EVs are more cost-efficient than driving ICE vehicles.

4-15-22 Barr is dean of the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and was an assistant Treasury secretary for financial institutions during the Obama administration.

Advocacy News - April 14, 2022

4-9-22 “This has been unprecedented. I’ve been in the industry 30 years and I’ve never seen a grocery bill, I’ve never seen an invoice climb so quickly,” said Keith Buchele, General Manager at Soup Spoon Cafe.

4-8-22 Some employers are requiring employee drug tests for marijuana even though recreational and medicinal marijuana are legal in the state. At a time when pot use among American workers is expanding, employers say having the legal right to test is a matter of safety. The U.S. House has passed…

4-6-22 With data collected from 2020-2021, the study compares the average price of driving an EV, versus a gas powered, or Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle. It shows overall it’s still cheaper to drive traditional but in certain situations it is now cheaper to drive electric.

4-6-22 A gas-powered mid-priced car may be less expensive than an EV, whereas a luxury ride is better off as a plug-in, according to the report.

4-6-22 Even before the recent spike in crude oil and gasoline prices, the subject of a contentious House committee hearing Wednesday with executives from six large oil and natural gas companies, electric vehicles (EVs) were having a bit of a moment.

4-7-22 The environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles often outweighs the benefits of forgoing fossil fuels.

4-3-22 The Milken Institute evaluates the economic performance of more than 400 large and smaller metro areas once a year.

4-2-22 Michigan Press Association

Christina Lovio-George let out a big “whoop” when she learned this week that Detroit had been selected to host the 2024 NFL Draft. She knows from experience what that could mean for the city. Lovio-George is the founder and CEO of communications firm LovioGeorge Inc., the agency of record for…

3-28-22 Food prices were already rising prior to the war in Ukraine. But experts say the prices of products containing wheat, like a loaf of wheat bread, may be further impacted if the conflict persists.

3-28-22 WHETHER you’re looking to purchase an electric vehicle or a gas-powered one, it is important to see the full picture. Many assume that electric cars are more expensive to buy, but cheaper to …

3-27-22 Michigan’s retail recreational cannabis market launched just four months before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the state and forced widespread shutdowns and limited in-person shopping. Michigan’s retail recreational cannabis market launched just four months before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the state.…

3-24-22 According to our analysis, drivers between May and August 2021 took home nearly $35 per hour after expenses.

3-21-22 Electric vehicles and gas cars have always come with a tradeoff. Fully electric vehicles are more expensive to buy, but they’re cheaper to own because they’re cheaper to fuel and maintain -- and they...

3-20-21 Police and fire departments, sheriff’s offices and the Department of Corrections are shorthanded and competing for workers with private firms.

3-4-22 Paying top dollar for more expensive SUVs is forcing drivers to hand over more than ever for car payments. How do higher car prices hurt consumers?

3-3-22 Charging costs for EVs can vary a lot. Read this guide to work out how much your trip will cost.

3-2-22 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced she has reinstated Michigan’s controversial prevailing wage for government contracts.

3-1-22 A coalition of business, labor and political leaders launched a campaign Tuesday to reform Michigan’s 30-year-old term-limits law and require state legislators to disclose their personal finances to root out conflicts of interest.A group called Voters for Transparency and Term Limits is proposing a…

3-1-22 Last year at this time, gas was a dollar cheaper than it is now. Some reports say it could jump another dollar if this invasion continues.

3-1-22 LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A bipartisan coalition of business, labor and political leaders...

2-25-22 Volkswagen AG has lost hope that many of its roughly 4,000 vehicles aboard a cargo ship that caught fire last week in the Atlantic can be saved.

2-23-22 When the Ambassador Bridge — a key trade corridor between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., — was gridlocked by protests earlier this month, it exposed a weak link in Canada’s supply chain. Experts of all stripes agree it’s risky for Canada to rely so much on a 92-year-old privately owned bridge.

2-23-22 The fire on board the large car-carrying cargo ship Felicity Ace could soon be extinguished because there might not be anything left to burn.

2-23-22 A flatbed removes a truck from the convoy after police cleared Wellington Street, previously occupied by the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, on February 19, 2022. – Ottawa Police Services barricaded Wellington St. around Parliament Hill, clearing up the trucks and the camps that had been in Ottawa since J…

2-23-22 Inside Automotive: How to improve your car dealership’s first-party data with guest Brian Toole Today on Kain & Co., host David Kain, President of Kain Automotive, sits down with Brian Toole, Director of Carpathic, to take a deep dive into managing first-party data at the dealership level. In this e…

2-23-22 Always dig a little deeper and follow the money. And, by the way, pay less attention to the disruptors and more attention to what the majority of us are trying to do right for our community and nation, even if we don’t make the headlines.

2-22-22 A large cargo ship that initially caught fire last week is continuing to burn while floating off the coast of Portugal, the company that operates it said Tuesday.

2-22-22 Relocating to a tech hub can make it easy for you to build the life you want in a city that fits your lifestyle. Read on for our list of the best cities for tech jobs.

2-22-22 A stock listing could help fund VW’s EV ambitions.

2-22-22 A major international border — and the auto industry — was taken hostage for nearly a week by a small group of protesters, calling into question the reliability of Canada’s supply chain.

2-21-22 VW has not disclosed its potential losses from the fire aboard the crippled Felicity Ace and it is unclear how much insurance will cover the costs for the lost vehicles.

2-21-22 Michigan Republican and Democratic lawmakers want to repeal the so-called “pension tax.” But they have differing plans for how to accomplish it.

2-21-22 After burning for five days, “there is little combustible material left to burn,” officials said.

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2-21-22 A right-wing protest against COVID-19 mandates and supporting election fraud conspiracies at the Michigan Capitol building off the blockades at the border that shut down the Ambassador Bridge for a week has failed to gain traction for the last week. Around 10 people showed up to the Capitol building…

2-21-22 “Fernandina ranked fifth among the U.S. communities that contributed to the trucker convoy.” Twenty-nine residents of zip code 32034 contributed a total of $2,413 to the so-called “Freedom Convoy” of

2-20-22 The trucker protest could echo for years in Canadian politics and perhaps south of the border.

2-18-22 One leader of the protest reportedly told supporters to “hold the line” as police with riot gear gathered in the downtown area.

2-18-22 Nearly 4,000 vehicles are on board as the fire consumes the ship—and the electric cars it’s carrying pose an extra danger for firefighters.

2-18-22 Driving Discussion on Transportation & Infrastructure

2-18-22 The trucker convoy blockades that blocked the U.S.-Canada Ambassador Bridge border for approximately one week may have cost the automotive industry US$299.9 million between February 7-15. “Our updated estimate includes lost direct wages for Michigan, lost direct wages in Ontario, and some lost direc…

2-16-22 The Canadian government has threatened to freeze truckers’ personal and corporate bank accounts

2-16-22 “These are real losses to the men and women working in this industry”

2-16-22 Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens assures businesses and residents that the remaining barriers left in place near the approach of the bridge are still necessary after a nearly week-long blockade.

2-16-22 The Anderson Economic Group calculated the total in lost wages and industry earnings

2-16-22 General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota lost about $155 million in profits.

2-16-22 Inside Automotive: The simple truths about leadership and how to practice them with Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley Throughout the hustle and bustle of leading an organization, oftentimes the fundamentals of leadership can take a back seat or in some cases, become completely forgotten. Today’s guests a…

2-15-22 Workers missed out on $145 million in wages and car companies lost $155 million because of vaccine mandate protests at key U.S.-Canada trade crossings, a study says.

2-15-22 “Only some of that lost production can be made up given the tightness of the auto industry’s supply chain right now, so these are real losses to the men and women working in this industry.”

2-15-22 Listen to * Patrick Anderson, CEO Of The Anderson Economic Group and 999 more episodes by Michigan’s Big Show. Ep. 2471: Wednesday LIVE starring Michael Patrick Shiels. *

2-15-22 Trade between Michigan and Canada is flowing again after people protesting Canadian COVID-19 mandates blocked international truck traffic for nearly a week.

2-15-22 Automakers lost close to $300 million due to trade disruptions at the Ambassador Bridge last week. But economic experts warn the economic cost could go beyond that.

2-15-22 Most carmakers’ production is returning as the Ambassador Bridge reopens. But the fallout from the disruption will be long-lasting and important.

2-15-22 It was a costly week for Michigan automakers, with losses in the hundreds of millions.

2-15-22 The weeklong protest that shut down the Ambassador Bridge cost the auto industry nearly $300 million, according to an economic research group. Anderson Economic Group...

2-15-22 A week of protests at the Ambassador Bridge has cost the auto industry more than a quarter of a billion dollars, according to an analysis.

2-14-22 Protests were held on the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge, leading to days of closures and delays.

2-14-22 The Ambassador Bridge blockade and related trade disruptions associated with the “Freedom Convoy” protests caused an estimated $299.9M in direct losses to the auto industry, according to a new analysis from the Anderson Economic Group.

2-14-22 Anderson Economic Group estimates the auto industry took a $299.9 million hit in lost wages and production during the Ambassador Bridge blockade.

2-14-22 Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the end of the vaccine passport system comes “not because of what’s happening in Ottawa or Windsor, but despite it.”

2-14-22 The Ambassador Bridge blockade and related trade disruptions associated with the “Freedom Convoy” protests caused an estimated $299.9M in direct losses to the auto industry, according to a new analysis from the Anderson Economic Group.

2-14-22 The nearly weeklong blockade of commercial truck traffic on the Windsor side of the Ambassador Bridge was illegal and underscores the need for a second Detroit River bridge, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday.Whitmer, speaking to Detroit Regional Chamber members in a virtual speech about her new…

2-14-22 The Ambassador Bridge reopened to traffic Sunday night, seven days after truckers first congested the vital trade route linking Michigan and Canada.

2-14-22 The reopening of the Ambassador Bridge following seven days of protests “is a win for Michigan’s working families,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared Monday. The bridge...

2-13-22 The U.S. grill maker posts a fiscal first-quarter loss wider than analysts’ estimates and lowers its guidance for fiscal 2022.

2-13-22 Auto production will still be affected as automakers and their suppliers scramble to get parts to plants on time.

2-12-22 Evidence-free Covid policies should end, but the actions of some protesters have gone too far.

2-12-22 Workers in the Michigan auto industry could lose up to $51 million in wages this week due to the trucker protest at the US-Canada border, according to Anderson Economic Group.

2-12-22 Freedom Convoy truckers are still on the US-Canada Ambassador Bridge - in defiance of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 7pm and then midnight deadlines to clear the road on Friday.

2-11-22 Add a blockade at the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing to the list of supply chain problems pounding Michigan businesses. The shutdown of the Ambassador Bridge last week, the main link between Michigan and its largest trading partner, over COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truck drivers and other…

2-11-22 The Canadian truck blockade continues to affect the auto industry, Team USA takes on Canada in men’s hockey and more news to start your Friday.

2-11-22 The Anderson Economic Group has pegged the total economic loss for working people and businesses in the automotive and transportation industry at $51 million this week due to this illegal blockade. The Michigan Department of Treasury estimates that 10,000 commercial vehicles cross the bridge each day with $325 million of goods. Approximately $50 million is from automotive parts. Nearly 30% of the annual trade between Michigan and Canada comes across the Ambassador Bridge.

2-11-22 Demonstrations have blocked the flow of commerce on one of the most important corridors between the U.S. and Canada.

2-11-22 Blockades of border crossings between the United States and Canada have disrupted production for some automakers and their suppliers, causing workers to be sent home.

2-11-22 Michigan suffered as bridge traffic was halted all week, with auto industry shutdowns resulting from shipping delays. The truckers were protesting mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for them to cross the border.

2-11-22 Workers in the Michigan auto industry could lose up to $51 million in wages this week, due to the trucker protest at the US-Canada border, according to Anderson Economic Group.

2-11-22
The city of Windsor filed an injunction to end the truck blockade at the U.S.-Canada border protesting COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.

12-11-22 A blockade by truckers protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other issues has brought international trade at the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor to a grinding halt. See the latest updates below:

2-11-22 Gov. Whitmer issued her statement as there appeared to be a move by protesters on the Canadian side of the bridge to open a lane to traffic.

2-10-22 Blockades of U.S.-Canada border crossings could hurt the auto industry, factory workers and the economy, which are still recovering from pandemic disruptions.

2-10-22 The Founder of the Anderson Economic Group talks to Paul about the Governor’s 2022 budget and says he appreciates the fact that the Governor acknowledges that some of the money is from the federal government’s stimulus fund and won’t be around forever.

2-10-22 GM canceled two shifts at one Michigan plant due to a parts shortage and lost millions in potential profits. So here is what it’s doing to get parts.

2-10-22 Many people might not know they use the “just-in-time” production method these days, which means they have to stop building when the parts run out. That method is what’s happening, and the Anderson Economic Group is estimating $51 million in lost wages so far this week because of the blockade.

2-9-22 A blockade of the Ambassador Bridge by Canadian truckers opposing COVID-19 vaccination mandates is resulting in manufacturing disruptions.

2-4-22 “Google is signaling that Michigan is a high-tech innovation hub, where companies of all sizes should consider coming,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

2-3-22 Most Ford Motor Co. hourly employees in the US will receive up to $7,377 in profit-sharing based on the company's strong 2021 financial results.

1-26-22 New and used vehicle price increases far outpaces wage earning in 2021 according to new data from the Anderson Economic Group. For car buying advice visit WWW.CARPROUSA.COM.

1-25-22 GM is betting big on Michigan as part of its EV future from new factory, plant conversions and new supply chain. Here’s why and who wins.

1-25-22 GM’s single largest investment announcement in its history is also a major bet for the automaker with EVs still only representing 3% of total sales.

1-25-22 House of Saka, Inc., producer of the first and only alcohol-free, award-winning cannabis-infused wines from the iconic Napa Valley appellation, announced today an exclusive partnership with Carbidex LLC Michigan, a family-owned holding entity with companies rooted in the cannabis and facilities mana…

1-25-22 Depending upon your age and proclivity, marijuana has been considered a plant that, when smoked or otherwise enjoyed, can produce a mellow high and make life a little more pleasant, no different than enjoying a cocktail. To others, it is seen as a dangerous and illegal substance, a gat…

1-24-22 On MITech TV Dan Irvin, 123Net CEO, explains Project Overcome to bridge the digital divide. David Weaver from CitySide Venture announces its Angel Fund has made three investments already. Christina Benton from Anderson Economic Group provides details on report that looks…

1-23-22 Low inventory means it’s a seller’s market and experts blame a lack of new construction and current low mortgage rates.

1-22-22 Inflation and supply chain snags have sent prices for everyday items soaring, from Tide laundry detergent to new cars. Here’s what CNN Business found got more expensive this week, and what might be next.

1-21-22 A new study shows that wages are not keeping pace with the escalating prices of new and used cars.

1-21-22 News of $6.5 billion package, 4,000 new jobs comes day before governor’s State of the State address, chance to tout next-generation investment by GM.

1-21-22 Price surges have been exacerbated by a combination of high consumer demand and parts shortages constraining vehicle inventory.

1-20-22 Wages are not keeping up with inflation. The price of cars has grown significantly faster than earnings, a new analysis by the Anderson Economic Group found.

1-19-22 What is a Blue Economy? The lakes and rivers of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties shape our lives everyday. They support many of the pastimes that define the “up north” lifestyle, boating, fishing, kayaking, and more. Local bodies of wate…

1-17-22 About 22 percent of all households in the Charleston area pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs, meaning they are cost-burdened. A new report offers suggestions

1-13-22 Like an awkward teenager who’s entered puberty, Michigan’s marijuana industry is experiencing growing pains.

12-28-21 In the hunt for growth, beverage companies are experimenting in new categories, blurring the lines between beer, soft drinks and spirits.

12-20-21 The efforts worldwide to gradually phase out fossil-fuel-powered vehicles make the EV industry’s prospects bright. However, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin’s ‘no’ position on President Biden’s Build Back Better Act makes the domestic EV industry’s prospects bleak. Therefore, we think it is better to avo…

12-14-21 Cannabis supporters want to bring cannabis to Sanford

12-12-21 Study compares electric vehicle charge costs vs. gas — and results were surprising

12-10-21 Automaker and partner LG Energy Solution are seeking incentives from the city and state to develop a cell facility near GM’s Delta Township plant.

11-20-21 Ep67: Morrison-Zielinski on Moab, Kuniskis/Dodge, Fisker/Ocean, Fix-Brooke/NACTOY, Eversley/Honda, Anderson/EVs, Lyman/JD Power

11-9-21 Sue LaBonville encouraged the village to opt into cannabis, noting it could boost village...

11-2-21 N.C. stands alone atop Site Selection’s business climate ranking for 2021

10-28-22 It’s another sign of the toll that Illinois’ licensing stumbles are taking on the development of a new billion-dollar industry here.

The future is electric, with Big Three automakers like General Motors and Ford investing heavily in manufacturing electric vehicles. Besides being more sustainable for the...

The technology still doesn’t exist to meet the needs of a great many drivers.

The jury found that the automaker had breached an agreement with a Florida Nissan and Hyundai dealer on open Genesis points.

Electrics are all the rage these days as governments force electrification and automakers try to comply with vehicles that also meet customers’ needs. It’s a tall order. Fun to drive with instant torque, EVs are excellent commuter cars and have gained a niche among luxury buyers who drive locally, then plug them in at home.

But with limited range and steep sticker prices, EVs lack the dexterity of gas cars.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council takes steps to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species

A series of Michigan laws that would dramatically reduce the amount of marijuana medical caregivers may grow have passed out of committee and will proceed to possible full vote before the state House of Representatives.

With its expansive portfolio of publications, auto enthusiast events, and racing offerings, Hagerty has a big membership base beyond insurance.

(Paywall)
Opinion: Ken Sikkema and Bob Emerson.

Expanding the state EITC would also have a positive impact on local economies. According to a 2009 report by the Anderson Economic Group, every dollar awarded through the EITC generates $1.67 in new economic activity.

The Detroit area’s economy has improved, but it historically has had a smaller share of adults seeking work, and the size of its available labor force shrank during the pandemic.

Illinois today selected another 55 winners from a pool of 589 qualifying applicants seeking to open cannabis dispensaries. It’s another step on a long-delayed process of growing Illinois’ marijuana market, with a mind toward social equity. But is it working?

The Midwest is home to some of the largest colleges and universities in the country. These institutions are grappling with the challenges of safely reopening...

Pub managers are reworking their cocktail menus as shortages of materials and labor make some drinks unavailable for weeks.

As the country reopens and cooped-up Americans eagerly book long-delayed vacations, will breweries be on the itinerary?

Starting this fall, Michigan residents will no longer be able to buy products that give a cannabis-adjacent high at gas stations and CBD stores — they’ll need to buy them through the state’s rapidly growing and regulated cannabis industry. Beginning Oct. 11, compounds including the popular…