Michigan makes huge strides in 2011

Column by Doug Rothwell, President and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan and Phil Power, the Founder and President of The Center for Michigan 

Michigan has much to be thankful for as this year comes to a close: Better managed state and local government, a brighter economic outlook and more efficient delivery of public services. Our state’s turnaround has begun, but in many ways the hardest work still lies ahead.

A year ago, our two organizations held a summit, “Common Sense Reforms for a New Michigan” in Lansing. We drew nearly 400 people, including newly elected Gov. Rick Snyder and many legislative leaders for a discussion of structural changes we felt were needed to turn around Michigan and put us firmly on the path to prosperity.

The summit resulted in recommendations to improve state and local government efficiency, business climate and quality of life in our state.  We also pledged to report on progress one year later — hence this column. There is much progress to report.

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2010 Great Debates

Business Leaders for Michigan is proud to be one of 20 major organizations sponsoring the 2010 Great Debates organized by The Center for Michigan.  Launched this year, this debate series includes more than 50 statewide debates for the gubernatorial and legislative elections.

On October 10th, as part of the 2010 Great Debates series, the Center for Michigan hosted the only gubernatorial candidate debate between candidates Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero.  If you missed the gubernatorial debate or are interested watching any of the legislative debates you can view them by visiting The Center for Michigan's website. 

Candidate Debates

The Center for Michigan will be hosting a series of debates between candidates running for Governor and legislative offices. Business Leaders for Michigan is one of 20 major organizations sponsoring the debates. View the Republican primary debate which took place on Monday, May 24 at WGVU in Grand Rapids online at: http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/great-debates-2010-announces-first-two-debates/.  The Democratic debate is scheduled for mid-July.

Leadership Summit Recap

On May 17th, Business Leaders for Michigan, in partnership with The Center for Michigan and Council of Michigan Foundations, convened more than 300 leaders from across the state for our inaugural Leadership Summit. The summit featured experts from both inside and outside of Michigan who delivered a somber view of Michigan’s financial condition to business, community, education and policy leaders.

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Experts’ Message To Business, Community, Education And Elected Leaders: Time To Build A New Michigan

Leadership Summit brings focus to Michigan’s fiscal challenges and reform successes happening elsewhere in the country as states and regions move forward in a new economy.

Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, in partnership with The Center for Michigan and Council of Michigan Foundations, today convened more than 300 leaders from across the state for the group’s inaugural Leadership Summit—this one focused on Michigan’s fiscal challenges. The summit featured experts from both inside and outside of Michigan who delivered to business, community, education and policy leaders a somber view of Michigan’s financial condition. There was a clear call for government structural reforms necessary to enable state and local governments to function effectively to deliver critical public services.

Read the full press release here.