Gov. Jennifer Granholm laid out a new plan on Tuesday to restore Michigan's economy by creating jobs, training and educating citizens for those jobs, and through protecting our families. Currently, Michigan faces many serious economic problems and they are likely to get worse before things get better. However, Governor Granholm stated: "...if there is one thing I want you, the citizens of Michigan, to know this
evening, it is this: Things will get better."

During her speech, the Governor announced new ideas to continue reforming Michigan government. Lt. Governor John Cherry will lead and develop a new plan to modernize state government. This plan will include items such as expanding the use of technology, reducing the number of state departments, and reforming our service system.

The Governor also addressed a new goal for the year 2020. The goal calls for Michigan to reduce its use of imported energy and fossil fuels by 45 percent. By doing this we will move towards energy independence while taking advantage of the national growing demand for renewable energy, which will also create new jobs in Michigan.

Those were just a few highlights of her State of the State address. Other plans that were addressed by Governor Granholm include (This information can be found at www.michigan.gov):

- maintaining our fiscal responsibility through additional budget cuts and reforms.  In her budget she will propose next week, the governor will recommend elimination of the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries, ending state financial support for the two state fairs, returning enforcement of wetlands protections to the federal government, and continuing to reform our criminal justice system to further reduce the corrections budget.

- freezing college tuition for the next academic year to ensure that families are not priced out of a college education as the result of rising costs.

- helping citizens keep their homes through passage of the Home Foreclosure Prevention Act to give families at risk of foreclosure up to 90 days to work out a financing arrangement.

- freezing insurance rates for 12 months while the Legislature works to enact comprehensive insurance reform to ensure that Michigan drivers have access to solid coverage at fair and affordable rates.

- protecting access to health care during this time of economic crisis.  The governor asked legislators to renew their commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens by refusing to cut people off of health care.

Click here to read her complete address or if you would like more information on her seventh State of the State address.

-J.H.

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