Financing Energy Options for Michigan Residents and Businesses
Financing Energy Options PSC conceives of and manages a custom energy financing solution for the state’s residents and businesses. On the heels of landmark energy legislation (Public Act 295) becoming law, Michigan’s state agencies immediately went to work making sure residents could take advantage of badly needed resources to improve the efficiency of their homes…
Financial Navigation for People Undergoing Cancer Treatment
The impact of cancer goes far beyond its physical effects. Many patients endure significant financial and personal hardships because of the exorbitant costs associated with cancer treatment. High cost-sharing requirements, especially for those who are uninsured or underinsured, as well as reduced income during and after treatment, can lead many to experience financial distress or…
A Roadmap for Michigan’s Energy Markets and Planning Program
As Michigan’s new energy laws were implemented and work on the grant from the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Michigan Energy Office (MEO) proceeded, it became clear that all stakeholders would need a common understanding of Michigan’s existing energy environment. The following detailed roadmap presents a comprehensive description of Michigan’s energy circumstances as…
Michigan Children’s Health Access Program
In February 2015, the Michigan Association of United Ways (MAUW) received a two-year grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund (MHEF) to implement the Michigan Children’s Health Access Program (MI-CHAP). The MI-CHAP initiative is intended to build on the successes of the CHAP in Kent County, which demonstrated improvements in health outcomes for children on…
Is the American dream dying in Michigan? Can our education system resuscitate it?
Earlier this year, the 21st Century Education Commission issued a warning: Our education system is not preparing our young people to compete with their peers in other states and developed nations. As the report explains: “It is a harsh judgement, but an unavoidable one based on achievement data. Until we are honest about current performance…
On the Road: PSC uses its nonprofit expertise to sow economic seeds in the Sunshine State
Like Michigan, Florida is well known for its thriving tourism industry. But did you know that its nonprofit sector also plays a prominent role in the state’s economy? PSC’s Melissa Gibson confirmed that fact for the Florida Nonprofit Alliance when she and her project team completed an analysis examining the size and contribution of charitable…
Is Michigan’s environment on the federal chopping block?
Earlier this spring, President Trump proposed significant cuts to environmental spending at the federal level. Michigan’s legislature then followed suit with its own substantial state-level reductions, effectively delivering a one-two punch to our state’s environment. Hear what PSC senior vice president Julie Metty Bennett — fresh from completing an impact analysis on behalf of the…
2017 Environmental Programs Budget Analysis
Federal and state programs and funding are critical to protecting Michigan’s economy, environment, and quality of life. Michigan relies on the federal government to develop and enforce regulations, provide funding, and study environmental issues. Changes at the federal level directly affect the State of Michigan’s ability to enforce regulations, fund important efforts, issue permits, and…
Does zoning matter? It does to Michigan’s natural rivers
Okay, we admit it. Zoning isn’t sexy. People don’t swap stories about it around the office water cooler or make witty posts about it on Facebook. But to those who care about preserving and protecting Michigan’s waterways, it’s an important piece of the resource management puzzle. Just ask the Kent Conservation District, which is working…
PSCers don their vagabond shoes for an early childhood project in New York
In the dead of winter, when most Michiganders are dreaming of trips to sunny Palm Springs or steamy Key West, PSC vice president Jeff Guilfoyle and consultant Eric Pardini were logging more than 700 cold, but not too snowy, miles across Western New York to hear from parents, early childhood educators, child care providers, nonprofit…