Workers’ Paychecks Need Further Protection
By Patrick J. Wright
In its ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a 1992 Washington campaign finance ballot initiative that included a paycheck protection provision.

The People’s Power: Defending Representative Government
By Patrick J. Wright
In one example of the OFIS’ administrative overreach, the agency banned the use of people’s credit ratings in setting their insurance rates.

Property Owners Hit by Regulatory Takings Deserve Compensation
By Patrick J. Wright
Under the Michigan Supreme Court’s current controlling case law, regulatory takings are generally not compensable, though there is a possibility...

Making State Agencies More Accountable
By Patrick J. Wright
Unfortunately, neither the MPSC’s actions nor the DNR’s wide discretion are anomalies...

The Finest Court in the Nation
By Patrick J. Wright
For the past six years, the Michigan Supreme Court has been a leader in attempting to restore a proper balance between the judiciary, the legislature and the people...

Michigan Supreme Court Ruling on “Beachwalking” Erodes Property Rights
By Patrick J. Wright
The case involved a dispute between neighbors about the right to walk along a private beachfront.

Property Damage
By Patrick J. Wright
The case involved an eminent domain dispute in Connecticut.

Legal Studies
Too often, key court decisions involving the rights of all of Michigan’s citizens are based on narrow legal briefs that focus only on the interests of the litigants. The Mackinac Center’s Legal Studies project addresses this deficiency by providing the courts with amicus curiae — or “friend of the court” — briefs that explore the broader constitutional, statutory and public policy considerations at stake in these cases. In addition, the Legal Studies Project produces legal analysis of state and national policy issues in order to better inform policymakers, the media and the public.

April 11, 2007, Mackinac Center amicus brief. By: Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

March 15, 2007, Mackinac Center amicus brief. By: Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

March 1, 2007, Mackinac Center amicus brief. By: Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

Oct. 5, 2006, Mackinac Center Policy Brief. By: Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

June 28, 2006, Mackinac Center pamphlet. By: Russ Harding, director of the Mackinac Center's Property Rights Network, and Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

Mackinac Center Amicus Curiae Brief in Attorney General v. Michigan Public Service Commission
June 19, 2006, Mackinac Center amicus brief. By: Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

Mackinac Center Amicus Curiae Brief in DPG York v. Michigan
an. 13, 2006, Mackinac Center amicus brief. By: Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

Mackinac Center Amicus Curiae Brief in Rapanos v. United States and Carabell v. United States Army Corps of Engineers
Dec. 2, 2005, Mackinac Center amicus brief. By: Patrick J. Wright, Mackinac Center senior legal analyst

Posted: Oct. 12, 2007

Title: Legal Studies Project

Publication: General Article
This text is part of the larger publication:
Mackinac Center Policy Areas