Just days after delivering her State of the State address, Governor
Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) today visited Macomb Community College to discuss her plan to help displaced workers get the training they need to succeed in the new economy. The governor talked about the challenges Michigan is facing and the need, now more than ever, to come together to diversify the economy and continue to invest in Michigan's people.
"This moment demands bold action," Ms. Granholm explained. "We must decide if we will invest in our people so that we can grow and compete, or make devastating cuts to education, health care and worker training - the very things that make us competitive."
Ms. Granholm toured the technical training center at Macomb Community College where workers and students receive training in a variety of high-demand fields, including welding and advanced manufacturing. The governor talked with students and education leaders about her new No Worker Left Behind program, which will provide a one-time opportunity for displaced workers to receive training for new jobs at no cost. She noted that the state currently has 84,000 vacancies in fields like health care and skilled trades but that most of those positions require some type of training.
In addition to providing worker training, the governor's plan calls for:
- Continuing to go anywhere and do anything to bring good jobs to Michigan, including further jobs missions to bring more private investments and job opportunities back to the state.
- Diversifying the economy with a particular focus on the alternative energy sector. While alternative energy companies are already choosing Michigan for their growth, Granholm called for targeting more than $100 million in state and private resources to even more aggressively attract these high-growth companies.
- Nurturing the growth of small businesses. The governor has made more capital and start-up funds available to small businesses. She called for passage of her plan to make 401(k) plans available to small business employees at little or no cost.
- Requiring government to do business differently. Granholm proposed changes to the prison system that will make more efficient use of taxpayer dollars while protecting public safety. She proposed requiring local communities and school districts to share some services and save money, and she is increasing the number of workers protecting Michigan children, giving those workers new and better tools and requiring accountability for their work.
- Investing in education. Governor Granholm called for additional investment in our schools to build on the positive steps already taken. The governor called on the Legislature to make kindergarten mandatory and raise the dropout age to 18, and for new investment to dramatically expand access to preschool. The governor also proposed creating Promise Zones to allow local communities to capture tax revenue to help fund college scholarships similar to the Kalamazoo Promise.
Ms. Granholm underscored that Michigan's ability to compete, attract jobs, and keep Michigan children here in the future is threatened by the state's financial crisis. Although the governor has cut nearly $3 billion in state spending, more than any previous governor, and the state government has fewer employees today than at any time since 1973, the state is facing a $3 billion shortfall. In her budget this week, Granholm proposed more than $400 million in spending cuts and a series of government reforms in addition to a plan to fix Michigan's broken tax system in a simple and fair way that enables further investment in Michigan's people.
While acknowledging that economic transition and the fiscal crisis that Michigan is facing are critical challenges to overcome, Ms. Granholm highlighted a number of promising developments:
- This fall's college freshman will start school with a $4,000 Michigan Promise scholarship, which the governor signed into law at the end of last year. This will give every Michigan child access to a college education or job training;
- The governor's jobs missions to Japan and Germany have resulted in more than $230 million in new investments and more than 1,100 new jobs;
- Companies like Google and Whirlpool are growing jobs in Michigan, and 14 companies opened the doors of their world headquarters in Michigan last year; and
- Michigan's high school standards are now among the toughest in the nation, and Michigan MEAP scores are on the rise.
In addition to visiting Warren, the governor will also visit Grand Rapids, Flint, Jackson and Lansing this week to highlight key initiatives outlined in her State of the State Address.
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