A long-term plan that's already paying off!

With our state’s unemployment rate over 13%, revitalizing our economy will be the top priority for our next Governor and Legislature. The task of creating jobs – and, more importantly, careers - for Michigan’s workforce will not be easy, nor will it be accomplished overnight.   Read more »

Beyond the Buzzwords

We hear a lot of talk about a knowledge based economy that creates thousands of 21st century jobs. Buzzwords like "green jobs","economic gardening" and "innovation clusters" blanket the campaign literature of candidates across the state, including mine. In these tough economic times, it's certainly reassuring to think about a light at the end of the tunnel. Read more »

Last week, the Republican-led Michigan Senate passed a measure that would cut annual per-pupil funding to school districts in Michigan by $118. This effort and a related bill also seek to push many of our most experienced teachers into retirement by eliminating dental and vision coverage for teachers retiring after October 1, 2010; decreasing retirement benefits for those with more than thirty years service; and forcing those who remain to contribute significantly more of their salaries toward their retirement plans.
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From Business Week - Wolverine Metal Stamping in St. Joseph, Mich., has long been trying to diversify beyond automotive clients. To do so, Wolverine needs capital. That's been increasingly hard for small manufacturers to come by as their assets, used as collateral for bank loans, have depreciated during the recession and, in many cases, the auto industry's collapse. Now, a fund sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) is providing collateral so companies can get loans to shift away from autos. Read more »

From Business Week - One reason the credit crisis persists for small businesses is that even as banks have tightened their lending standards, fewer small businesses are considered creditworthy. Many have seen sales drop, cash-flow slow down, and the value of their assets plummet. So even though banks may be healthy enough to lend, businesses aren’t necessarily healthy enough to borrow. Read more »