Let's Celebrate Success

An observation - One of the reasons we sometimes don't feel like progress is being made is because we have a propensity to celebrate success only when something really big or controversial happens.  Yet, the state passed teacher retirement reforms that will save about 3 billion over ten years and little was heard outside the editorial pages of a few newspapers!  While more actions are needed to turnaround Michigan, this was a big step forward.  Maybe you should write your legislator if they voted for this and thank them for their courage!

For your legislator's contact information, click the "Find Your Representative" link at: http://www.michiganturnaroundplan.com/email-elected-officials.php

Legislative Action Alert: Bring State Corrections Spending Under Control

When the Michigan Legislature returns from recess on April 13, they will continue deliberations on the state’s FY 2011 budget, including Corrections.  Business Leaders for Michigan urges our state leaders to pass a budget that reduces Michigan’s annual per prisoner incarceration costs from over $32,000 to $25,000, the average for surrounding states.

Michigan is smaller and poorer today than it was in past decades and cannot support the same level of state spending it once did.   Please take a moment to contact your legislators to let them know that we can’t continue to spend money we don’t have and to bring corrections spending under control now. This would amount to roughly $350 million in savings for the state.

Pay Raises for State Workers Makes No Sense Right Now

If the legislature fails to act by April 11, state workers will get a 3% pay increase in October. State employees are good workers and deserve our support.  But when taxpayers have seen their pay cut or frozen for several years to a point where their per capita income is now below the national average, it makes no sense to ask them to raise the pay of State workers who are paid above the national average when critical state services are being cut.  You can do something about it – call your legislator NOW and tell them you want them to act to stop the pay raise!  Visit www.MichiganTurnaroundPlan.com and click the“Tell Your Legislator How You Feel” button to find your representatives and write them a note!

Encouraged by Leader Reform Proposals

Business Leaders for Michigan are encouraged by the current leader reform proposals. We issued the following statement today:

We are encouraged that all three state leaders recognize the need to address many of the reforms identified in the Michigan Turnaround Plan and are coming forward with meaningful proposals for putting Michigan on the right economic track.  Business Leaders for Michigan strongly believes the time to act is now and that we can’t afford to put off advancing a holistic strategy to reform the State’s finances and start creating jobs.  We are committed to working with our state’s leaders, as well as other organizations with similar interests, to encourage agreement on a holistic strategy. Let’s bring together the best proposals advanced by these leaders and move Michigan forward.