News & Commentary

Marchwinski v. Family Independence Agency Michigan stands alone in requiring its residents to provide a drug-free urine sample in order to continue receiving the state's assistance in achieving "family independence." Because abuse of alcohol and other drugs, often in conjunction with mental health problems, can interfere with employment, most states have created substance abuse treatment and counseling -- and every state except Michigan has determined that these treatment programs will work better without coerced drug testing.

Whether or not you agree with all the American Civil Liberties Union does, surely we agree that public education must be defended. Public education is the cornerstone of American democracy. An educated electorate is vital to sustaining a democracy.

Gov. John Engler is likely to soon renew a push to raise the limit on the number of charter schools that can be authorized by Michigan universities. This is in spite of already having been rebuffed by the Legislature, and in spite of recent studies, both in Michigan and elsewhere in the nation, indicating that charter schools are not the success many had hoped for.