Gov. Granholm: 'I don't think that I would have wanted to be governor during any other period'
Jennifer Granholm told a crowd of Washtenaw County Democrats Saturday night it hasn't been easy being Michigan's governor during one of the most tumultuous periods of economic change and struggle in the state's history.
But she says she has no regrets about it.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm delivered a high-energy speech on Saturday in which she said the state needs to continue to diversify its economy and invest in education.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Granholm, who will finish eight years in office this year and is term-limited, reflected on her experiences as governor and shared her vision for the state's future at the Washtenaw County Democratic Party's annual dinner.
"It has been a challenge being governor during this period of time," she said. "But I don't think that I would have wanted to be governor during any other period of time because it's this moment that your decisions make a difference. I wouldn't have wanted to have somebody else whose values I disagree with making decisions at this time."
Granholm, who was elected Michigan's first female governor in 2002, was the keynote speaker for the event celebrating 90 years of women’s suffrage.
Appearing casual in blue jeans and a button-down shirt, she delivered a 45-minute, high-energy speech that was generally well-received by the 300-person crowd at Washtenaw Community College's Morris Lawrence Building.
For a few laughs, she showed a video clip from the popular Saturday Night Live sketch in which a fictitious financial analyst played by cast member Kenan Thompson offers up a simple solution to the nation's economic crisis: "Fix it!"
"Now let's just be clear," Granholm said. "That's what people want, right? 'We don't care how. Fix it! And fix it quickly!' This long-term strategy stuff, they don't want to hear that. They want it fixed."
But Granholm said fixing Michigan requires a long-term solution, one that she started on and one she says should be continued by the next administration.
"We must continue to diversify and educate our citizens," she said. "I'm asking you fellow Democrats to be able to make this strong case to those whom you will elect in the fall — that they must keep up diversifying and educating."
Granholm attempted to put the past decade into perspective, referring to a Time magazine article that called it "the decade from hell." She said that rings particularly true in Michigan, which has been harder hit than any other state due to the high number of automotive and manufacturing jobs lost.
Granholm recalled her first realization that Michigan was entering a crisis that wouldn't be easily fixed. She said it started with a phone call in December 2003 from Jim Donaldson, vice president of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Donaldson relayed news that the Electrolux refrigerator plant planned to leave Greenville, taking with it 2,700 jobs in a community of 8,000 people.
Granholm remembers rallying the troops and heading to Greenville to try to prevent Electrolux from moving to Mexico. She said she put every incentive the state had to offer on the table, including zero taxes for 20 years.
"We basically shook out our pockets, put our chips on the table and pushed them across to the management of Electrolux," she said. "And they said, 'Thank you so much, this is a very generous offer, but there's nothing you can do to compensate for the fact that we can pay $1.57 an hour in Mexico.'"
That was a sign of events to follow, Granholm said, as Michigan continued to bleed manufacturing jobs in the coming years.
"Sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control and this was one of them, but I still didn't want to accept it," she said. "In fact, I was obsessed about this because I knew what it meant. What it meant for us was that we were in the middle of this structural change — that this was not a cycle, that this meant the foundations of our economy had shifted entirely."
Granholm said her efforts to attract new industries and retrain laid-off manufacturing workers have been successful to date. She said her No Worker Left Behind initiative has trained 125,000 workers, and community colleges in Michigan have seen a 50 percent increase in enrollment.
She lauded the MEDC's efforts to attract 929 new or expanded companies in six key job sectors since 2004: advanced manufacturing, life sciences, alternative and renewable energy, homeland security and defense, film and tourism.
As a result, she said, Michigan has been ranked the third best state in the country in terms of attracting new and expanded businesses for the last three years. Of course, any gains have not offset the losses in traditional manufacturing, but Granholm says the state is building a more stable foundation for the future.
"There's all these Republicans out there saying, 'Get rid of the MEDC,'" she said. "Remember the MEDC was created by John Engler, and every single state has a version of the MEDC — every single one. And to kill it would mean that we are unilaterally disarming the state that needs it most."
Citing Winston Churchill's famous quote that kites rise highest against the wind, Granholm said Michigan must steer in the direction it has feared and resisted most. In this case, she said, Michigan must take advantage of globalization and seek investment from other countries.
She cited her track record of taking 10 trips abroad, trips that have led to 47 companies relocating or expanding in Michigan to bring 13,000 new jobs.
Debbie Dingell issues a call to Washtenaw County Democrats on Saturday to fight to protect Democratic seats in Lansing and Washington.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
After a decade of losing jobs every single year in Michigan, Granholm said she finds hope in a new economic forecast that predicts the state will see a net gain of more than 17,000 jobs in 2011 alone. She jokingly lamented Michigan's resurgence should come in the year after she leaves office.
"I sort of feel like Maxwell Smart — you know: 'Chief, missed it by that much!'" she quipped, drawing laughs for her impression of the bumbling secret agent from the hit 1960s television comedy show "Get Smart."
Granholm pointed out that Vice President Joe Biden plans to visit Midland this week for the groundbreaking of an advanced battery manufacturing facility being built by Dow Chemical Co. She said she thinks Michigan is in a better position than any other state to embrace clean energy jobs.
She cited 16 battery companies that have located in Michigan in the last 10 months — companies projected to create 62,000 jobs in the next decade.
She also cited research by the Pew Center on the States, which recognizes Michigan as one of the best-managed states in the nation. She pointed out Michigan has 11,000 fewer state employees today than it did in 2001, and 300 boards and commissions have been cut.
"Contrary to the nattering nabobs of negativity on the Republican Party, Michigan has cut a higher percentage out of government than any state in the country," Granholm said. "So those who continue to say that we are some big, bloated government, honey, come and look again."
The host committee for Saturday's event included state Sen. Liz Brater and state Reps. Kathy Angerer, Pam Byrnes, Alma Wheeler Smith and Rebekah Warren. The fact that Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County are well-represented by women in Lansing helped carry the night's theme of women's suffrage.
In an interview before Granholm spoke, Brater talked about becoming Ann Arbor's first female mayor in 1991.
"It was really interesting," Brater said. "A lot of people scoffed at me for trying to run and said, 'Oh, you can't do that.' And I said, 'Yes, I can.'"
Brater said it was a stormy two years as mayor.
"People weren't quite used to the idea of a woman wielding power," she said. "But I think it was well worth the effort, and I've enjoyed and have been honored by my years of public service."
Debbie Stabenow, who became the first woman elected to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate in 2000, relayed a written statement of support to the Washtenaw County Democratic Party prior to Saturday's event.
"As we approach the 2010 election, it is important that we remember the courage it took to gain the rights we take for granted today," she said. "I am grateful to the women who came before me and made it possible for myself and others to make our voices heard and fully participate in public service."
Several politicians and candidates for public office attended the event, including Michigan gubernatorial hopeful Virg Bernero, secretary of state candidate Jocelyn Benson, attorney general candidate David Leyton, and U.S. Reps. Mark Schauer and John Dingell.
Before Granholm spoke, Debbie Dingell, the Congressman's wife, gave a pep talk to the crowd in which she called on Washtenaw County Democrats to pull together and work to ensure the party doesn't lose any seats in Lansing or Washington this year.
"If we don't all pull together, we're in trouble," Debbie Dingell said. "That's why we elected President Obama, and if we don't keep fighting at the national level and the state level, what we've spent our lifetime fighting for could go right down the drain."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
msddjohston
Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
I am so very proud of our governor here in this Great State of Michigan! Granholm even would have PLEASED Ernie Harwel with her "call" of the century! (It is for me almost like when I was in person witnessing a GRAND SLAM 1976.) God bless this woman and I hope to see her continuance as a civil servant in Washington.
outdoor6709
Wed, Jun 23, 2010 : 6:25 p.m.
Governor Granholm is the best advertisement for term limits ever. There can be no doubt that the political machine would manage to re-elect the WORST governer of any state ever, if it were not for term limits. So when the incumbents want you to repeal term limits, think about what would happen with 4 more years of Jenny.
uawisok
Wed, Jun 23, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.
Michigan republicans won't be happy until the mean wage in Michigan matches Mexico of $2.01 per hour....so if you think crime is high now continue to put wage pressure on the shrinking middle class because of the growing lower class!! Think folks before you use your vote this fall.
CuriousOneMi2
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 10 p.m.
Mike sayers: When you write "Again, none of the rates reported on the web site for Tax Foundation support your contention," you are simply not telling the truth. I am pleased that you now acknowledge that Michigan is 48th in corporate taxes and that the Tax Foundation does provide numbers supporting my comments. While I would gladly accept an apology for your erroneousness, I prefer the $100,000. Your subsequent comments are still misleading. First, Michigan's various economic sectors have underperformed their national counterparts. It is not just the auto sector. Second, statistical analysis shows economic growth is more highly correlated with corporate taxes than the overall business climate index from the Tax Foundation. Third, your premise that high taxes are good for economic performance is not consistent with empirical information or microeconomic theory. C1 P.S. Here's proof that taxes matter: % Change in Real GDP (2002-2008)Corp Tax Ranking (2008) Indiana722 Illinois1128 Wisconsin1029 Ohio336 Michigan-349 Here's proof that it is more than autos that explain Michigan's problems: MI's % Change (2002 to 2008)US % Change (2002 to 2008) Overall GDP-315 Private Sector GDP-317 Gov't Sector GDP-55 Mfg. Sector GDP-1214 Constr. Sector GDP-45-21 Utilities Sector GDP811 Wholesale Sector GDP-58 Retail Sector GDP1028 Transp. Sector GDP617 Fin&Ins. Sector GDP-216 Prof. Serv. Sector GDP1546 Agric. Sector GDP3325
Mike Sayers
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 9:13 p.m.
Hmm. I make two responses following up on data from some anonymous respondent and am accused of having undisciplined rhetoric, untruthfulness, and needing ethical replenishment. Going into more detail on the tax foundation website that C1 recommends, there is indeed a rating of Michigan as #48 in something called Corporate Tax Index Rank. At least we're ahead of New Hampshire, who is ranked #50 on that index. However, this foundation doesn't seem to count this index all that highly, as their overall ranking of Michigan is #17 for overall "Business Tax Climate." That corporate index is just one factor, that is combined with sales tax, personal income tax, and others to get the overall ranking. So, this organization thinks our tax climate is better than 33 other states. They also rank New Hampshire #7 overall, indicating what a small factor that corporate rate is in their overall evaluation. Their top four states? South Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska, and Nevada. So, although the governor doesn't get to set tax rates, she's being blamed by some of the posters here for our economic conditions based on taxes, even though our business environment is ranked pretty well. (Also countering the criticism of Gov. Granholm, it looks like Michigan's taxes have gone down slightly, relative to the rest of the country.) Maybe our problems have more to do with GM and Chrysler running themselves into bankruptcy, where the only option without federal salvation would have been chapter 7 liquidation and a total disaster for the midwest. But if you don't like it here, run off to one of the "good" states, like South Dakota or Nevada (thank you Nevada, we're now up to #49 in unemployment!). Based on this tax foundation report, they're much better places for new businesses.
CuriousOneMi2
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 8:17 a.m.
The Bernero/Dillon article by Luke on mlive contains the links to the Tax Foundation's sites showing burdensome corporate taxes and challenging taxes on residents once you put these taxes in the context of relative per capita income. It appears Mike Sayers has a problem with truthfulness. But he can still show his ethical commitment by getting me a cashiers check for $100,000.
CuriousOneMi2
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 7:54 a.m.
Mike Sayers: Your rhetoric needs to be disciplined and I have $100,000 to do it. I say Michigan is ranked 48th in corporate taxes; you say otherwise. Let's see you back up your rhetoric with a $100,000 wager. C1 P.S. As the annarbor site tends to block linkages, I will post the Tax Foundations ratings on the Bernero/Dillon article by Peter Luke. You can run to the bank and make out a cashiers check in my name for $100,000.
Mike Sayers
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 9:38 p.m.
@ CuriousOneMi2, all percentages are per capita. That means Michigan is slightly less burdensome than other states, on average. Again, none of the rates reported on the web site for Tax Foundation support your contention. Also, from what I remember in other articles, the states with the highest taxes tend to have the best economies, like Massachusetts. I don't like paying taxes, but I do know how to read numbers, and I don't see the results you're reporting. Years ago, I remember Ross Perot years ago claiming it wasn't the taxes he objected to, it was not getting his money's worth. I think that's why business is better in the high-tax states. If Michigan roads and schools aren't adequate, that can hurt business opportunities a lot more than the tax rates.
David Briegel
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 9:31 p.m.
Glendenning, good post. Mack, you are correct! Seriously, Mike, what do you stand for?? Do you have spellcheck? Please list the accomplishments of those glorious Engler years! What is your plan? Do you speak Chinese? They won your hero's cold war! Carl, what is your solution? Can you imagine if these naysayers had to govern? Reality Bites!!
CuriousOneMi2
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8 p.m.
Mike Sayers: Thank you for confirming my earlier posts. With Michigan residents facing a 9.4% state and local tax rate vs. 9.7% nationally (i.e. Michigan at 97% of the US average), this situation is burdensome to Michigan residents since our per capita income is just 84% of the US experience. The Tax Foundation also shows corporate tax burdens and shows the 48th ranking for Michigan. I'd post the link, but then my post would likely get blocked. Michigan's relatively favorable ratings on sales taxes suggests there is room to expand the sales tax to services and then cut corporate taxes to enhance the business climate. Michigan started to cut corporate taxes after 2008, but still ends with a 48th ranking. We were at 49th in corporate taxes in 2008. The Michigan SBT was supposed to be phased out by now -- not replaced with the MBT and a surcharge. C1
Mike Sayers
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 6:03 p.m.
@ CuriousOneMi2, I checked your link RE Michigan taxes, going to The Tax Foundation (www.taxfoundation.org), and it looks like Michigan taxes are low by most measures. Local+State: average is 9.4% of income, national average is 9.7 (we're 27th). Sales tax: 38th. Income tax is flat 4.35%, depending on how comparisons are made, we're 37th or 40th. We're in the highest 15 in a few categories: Corporate tax, property tax, gas tax. But not in the highest 10% in anything. Where do you get "Michigan is ranked 48th in corporate taxes"? Of course, governors don't set taxes. For better or worse, all they can do is veto what the legislature gives them.
mike from saline
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
@ Carl Duncan. You are a wordsmith!! I'll be borrowing that line in the future, hope you don't mind. @ Mitch. Your comment, in combination with the the photo..Priceless.
CuriousOneMi2
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 3:40 p.m.
I just finished reading (and rereading) Mack's comments and I believe they provide insight into Michigan's essentially wasted decade under Granholm. Nearly every comment is wrong, misleading or deceptive. (1) Engler left Granholm with some red ink, but also with a growing economy. Stop blaming Engler; it has been 8 years since he was in office. (2) Granholm is great at touring the state and giving speeches. Michiganders want results, not speeches. (3) More Engler blame; get over it. Granholm could not lead the Dems to vote for her 2 cent proposal; she could not lead a colony of ants to a melted candy bar. (4) Michigan is a high tax state. Ranked 48th by the Tax Foundation. Our midlle of the road taxes on residents are burdensome since residents' per capita income is way below the national average. (5) We are under the Headlee cap due partly to large budget surpluses back in the late 1990s, but Wheeler Smith has already dropped out of the governor's race. (6) Gov. Blanchard and Engler both touted their economic diversification efforts. (7) Michigan historically experienced relatively fast economic growth in the early stages of an economic expansion. During 2002-2008, we were the only state to see a decline in overall economic activity (i.e. the Michigan economy changed for the worse under Granholm). (8) As noted earlier, Blanchard and Engler pursued and touted economic diversification. Michigan's troubles under Granholm extend way beyond the automotive sector. Nearly all economic sectors performed poorly in Michigan relative to the national experience. In conclusion, Mack says we can move forward "if we could just turn out the static." I suggest we need a dose of reality to ask why Michigan is ranked 48th in corporate taxes, 49th-50th in joblessness and 50th for economic activity from 2002-2010. Relying upon misinformation is part of the reason why Michigan is grappling with an atrocious economy. Vote wisely in November 2010 and show other states we have learned from the past 8 years. P.S. Check out the static in your electric bill. Up 22% for residential DTE customers since early 2009. Is Granholm's MPSC as incompetent as her MEDC which grants tax redits to swindlers?
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.
@Mack wrote "Just the other day reporter and commentator Tim Skubick summed up the past, present, and future of Michigan when he said on Off the Record that Jenifer Granholm was the first person to understand that we need to diversify the Michigan economy." I was at the event. The Governor used in her PowerPoint a quote from the Saturday Evening Post of 1961 to illustrate that the Michigan economy needs to diversify. No one took it seriously for many decades (as opposed to fighting their parochial battles to fill their personal honey pot with other people's money) because at the time we had a standard of living far above the national average. Now as @CuriousOneMi2 notes, our per capita income is only 84% of the national average - welcome to "Michissippi" - and it's *finally* a *problem*. There is plenty of blame to go around. Governor Blanchard created the Michigan Business & Industry Development venture capital (BIDCO) program and Governor Engler killed it for reasons of personal spite against Blanchard despite the fact that the state got a 40 to 1 return on its investment in my BIDCO, for example (Michigan BIDCO - see www.university-bank.com/NorthernMichigan.html). My team worked hard on economic development and job growth. With just $6.5 million we created over 720 new "base" economic jobs and brought $275 million of investment into the state. We lowered the unemployment rate of Cheboygan, Michigan (for example) from over 20% to under 7%. The BIDCO program was a very successful program that enabled job diversification and job growth. Why didn't Governor Granholm bring it back? The Federal Reserve Bank appointed me to represent the U.S. at a United Nations working group that facilitates trade and business development worldwide. I bring this up only to note that for several years now when I go to those meetings (held in Europe), people ask me about "My Mayor" referring to Kwame and make fun of Michigan and Detroit to my face. We were the laughingstock of the *world* and the Governor did nothing to remove the guy from office. Neither did Mike Cox. @Mick52 is right, talking about the Governor's failures in reeling in Detroit's gangsters. Imagine the damage done to the state's image in attracting new investment when the *world* thought that Kwame was representative of all of our state's political leaders? Who would even consider bringing their business to such a state? Perhaps people from California and New York where the business environment is worse? I'm so glad we are *only* number 48 - things could be worse!
Mack
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.
Governor Granholm gave a thoughtful retrospective of what have clearly been troubling times for the US automobile industry, Michigan, and the United States. She was energized, humorous, and sincere. Having listened to her last night and carefully read Ryan's article, I can only wonder if anyone listened to her speech or read what they are commenting on. Please check your baggage at the door and start over. 1. Michigan was effectively bankrupt at the end of the Engler administration. The rainy day fund was drained rather than face reality, and trust funds set aside for designated purposes by State law or constitution were looted to shroud the river of red ink. 2. Do you remember when the newly elected Governor toured the State and asked us what our priorities were? I was impressed with the priorities set by those living in the Great Lakes State. 3. I hoped that the Governor would come out swinging at the end of her tour and place the blame squarely on the shoulders of Governor Engler and the Republican controlled Legislature. Instead, she reached out to the House and Senate. 4. Republicans and Libertarians are in a time warp if they think Michigan is a high tax state. It may have been but it isn't now. 5. Remember the Headlee Amendment: If Rep Alma Wheeler Smith stood next to the Governor last night, she would have told everyone that current taxation is $9 billion under the Headlee cap. 6. Do you remember the first Middle East oil crisis, the second oil crisis that brought the US automobile industry to its knees, or the technology bubble bursting at the end of the last century? Who led the charge to diversify the Michigan economy in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s: no one. 7. The post WWII economic history of Michigan is one of riding the highs and lows of the automobile industry. We were one of the first states to go into recession and waited until people started buying cars again. The highs were so spectacular that we quickly forgot the lows. 8. Just the other day reporter and commentator Tim Skubick summed up the past, present, and future of Michigan when he said on Off the Record that Jenifer Granholm was the first person to understand that we need to diversify the Michigan economy. We ignored a problem for 30 years and now we expect it to be fixed overnight. Have you seen the Pure Michigan billboards when crossing into Michigan? They are simple perfection IMHO. We need to sell Michigan tourism across the nation and that takes money. We need to invest in Michigan's future: our children and grandchildren need world class educational opportunities, clean air to breathe, pristine beaches to play on, and sparkling pure, blue water where they can learn to swim, fish, and sail. Our Governor crafted a vision of Michigan's future. It is our responsibility to make that dream a reality. Believe in Michigan! Invest in Michigan! Stay true to Michigan! We could all move forward together if we could just turn out the static.
Carl Duncan
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 1:06 p.m.
This woman is delusional at best. The common thread of her speach is bovine scat--run through a democrat run manure spreader.
Mick52
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
Macabre Sunset Posting 19 hours ago pretty much sums it up for me too. I was shocked in 2006 when she was re-elected. I wasn't too happy with the GOP candidate but anyone would have been better after those first four years. Michigan simply has no leadership. The Gov wants to be vice president, wants to be on the supreme court. So what new industry is she relying on? The still unproven alternative energy industry parroting the president. Unfortunately we still do not know if alt energy will be any more efficient than GM and Chrysler. The governor waited until the Detroit Public School system's budget was almost $300 million dollars in debt before she sent Robert Bob there to take over finances. $300 million? Why not at $200 million? Or $100 mil or $50 mill? Or just $1 million? Well the school board is all democrats, toes that cannot be stepped upon. The DPS school board bought five floors of the Fisher building in 2004 for $24 million from a company that paid $21 million for the whole building in 2003. To me that is enough to tell them to sit and do what Mr. Bob says. Here is a story as a source: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/09/audit_detroit_public_schools_o.html There are some other interesting "investments" listed in the article too. And Mr. Bob is doing a great job but he is being sued by the school board over his efforts. Why the governor did not dismiss the school board and put Mr. Bob in charge of the entire district bewilders me. I suppose its because the board is all democrats. She won't even tell them to get off Mr. Bob's back. This is a lack of leadership qualities. We need someone to say "enough is enough." And her handling of the Kwame Kilpatrick issues? Nah I won't go there. During the GM Chrysler bailout debates, I was irked with UAW officials repeatedly talking about the "generous" concession they made. Why new employees were going to take big cuts in starting pay. New employees? What new employees? I thought they were laying off employees. Wow, a huge concession that one is. Anyway sure enough here's Gov Granholm being interviewed on TV spouting that very same huge concession all those new employees were offering up. I think it odd that there is so much political fighting in Michigan, or at the state level anywhere. We obviously have a huge problem(s) and we seem to be unable to collectively agree that yup, we have a problem. Then determine what caused it and how to change so that we can really fix it. Dems more taxes to continue doing what we we've been doing. Republicans promoting tax cuts. I do not know how we are going to maintain the state without some tax increases, but with a tax happy federal govt I think we need much more cooperation at the state/local levels to maintain ourselves until we get back on our feet. But that is going to require much more concessions than cutting the pay of all the new hires both private and public sectors.
JSA
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
It would have been better had she not been governor at any time. She does plain could not do the job. Good riddance and I hope she does not let the door hit her on her way out.
mw
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.
"Far from blame, Granholm deserves credit for shielding the education system from the worst depradations of the tax-cutters such as those pushing a "Michigan turnaround plan" that would permanently reduce us to Mississippi status." She didn't shield the education system, she shielded the wages and gold-plated benefits of her MEA special-interest supporters. Michigan spends quite lot (especially relative to what it can afford) on K-12 education, but the results are pretty mediocre (compare college entrance exam scores to other midwestern states like Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin -- most of which spend less than Michigan). And the idea that we can grow the Michigan economy by pouring more and more money into education is, well...it's a pretty, comforting idea, but it JUST DOESN'T WORK. What happens is that when Michigan kids graduate with a college degree, way too many leave for states with better business climates (regardless of whether or not their education systems are worse). The end result is Michigan taxpayers pay through the nose to provide educated workers for other states (Georgia, South Carolina, etc). The money is gone, the young people are gone, and Michigan gets poorer (But the MEA keeps its perks).
mike from saline
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 10:34 a.m.
@ Glendenning. You wrote, "the comments I see posted here are generally uninformed, and mean spireted". I say, forget about the opinions, and let us focus in on the facts presented by "CuriousOneMi2". Unless those figures are inacurate, can you, or "Briegle", explain, [or explain away] those facts]?? Remember now, No mean spireted opinions or "snarky" comments. Just the facts.
walker101
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
Now she also thinks?
Sam Adems
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 9:16 a.m.
@Ryan - thanks for the links to the Governor candidate profiles. I read the Flint Journal article on Mike Bouchard and found it to be an entertaining personality profile, but containing little content about policy and what he intends to do if elected. I then discovered that he actually has outlined a very specific economic plan that is rather interesting, available at www.bouchardforgovernor.com/home/2010/03/08/permanent-prosperity-for-michigan/. Also by poking around I learned that Mike Bouchard announced last week the text of a Constitutional amendment he proposes, which would be a game changer for the state. It would prohibit the state and all local units of government from paying any public service employees benefits that are more or less than 3 percent of those comparable jobs in the private sector. The Mackinac Center published research in 2009 that indicates that if a constitutional amendment were adopted that mandated this, it would save $5.7 billion per year (see www.mackinac.org/10839). The savings would be enough to eliminate the Michigan Business Tax, plug the state's budget deficit and eliminate the deficits at the local level of government. You can read the text at: www.bouchardforgovernor.com/home/2010/06/18/bouchard-pushes-constitutional-amendment-to-put-government-in-line-with-the-private-sector/.
Glendenning
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
The event was a wonderful tribute to women in government, including our Governor, Jennifer Granholm, who has worked enthusiastically and tirelessly to bring our state into the 21st century. Her speech was a reminder of Michigan's long history of overdependence on the car industry, and how she was handed the responsibility of finally having to wrestle with this and find ways to lead us into a more diverse and sustainable economy. The comments I see posted here are generally uninformed and mean spirited. The Washtenaw County Annual Dinner was a truly inspirational event, encouraging us to vote and engage in our governmental process.
CuriousOneMi2
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
Regarding the "declining" tax burden in Michigan, Granholm is deceptive and misleading. The reality is that the plunge in the Michigan economy should lead to lower tax burdens. Granholm has offset this shift via increases in taxes. The reality is Michigan residents faced higher tax burdens in 2008 than in 2002. In addition, Michigan's populace is grappling with a per capita income that is about 84% of the US experience. So while the tax rate on residents may be slightly below the national average, it is still burdensome since per capita income appears quite low relative to US income. Finally, the corporate tax burden is still atrocious relative to other states. All of this info is verifiable via the Tax Foundation.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8:42 a.m.
@Top Cat We are partnering with our sister papers across the state through MLive.com on writing/publishing in-depth personality profiles of each of the major party candidates for governor prior to the Aug. 3 primary vote. MLive's schedule for the profiles is: June 13: Tom George (click to read) June 20: Mike Bouchard (click to read) June 27: Mike Cox July 4: Rick Snyder July 11: Pete Hoekstra July 18: Andy Dillon July 25: Virg Bernero Note: These stories will find a home on our Elections 2010 topic page on AnnArbor.com when it is up and running probably next week. AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey chipped in the story on Rick Snyder that will appear on July 4. I was writing the Alma Wheeler Smith piece until she dropped out of the race and that story turned into this.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
Another thing Gov. Granholm mentioned Saturday night: In the last decade, Michigan has seen the biggest tax burden drop of any state in the country, according to research by the Senate Fiscal Agency. "Now some of that, of course, is due to the challenges of our economy," Granholm said. "But a lot of that is due to the tax cuts. I mean, I've signed a heck of a lot of tax cuts into law hoping that something was going to work. And obviously we have cut so much out of government and we have cut taxes, but the unemployment rate has continued to go up. So all of those who continued to say that if you only cut taxes your unemployment rate will go down with them, all you have to do is point to Michigan as an example of why that is utterly simplistic and just not true. We are the poster-child state for why it's a more complex solution than only cutting taxes."
Heardoc
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8:23 a.m.
It should be no wonder why our state is in such failing shape. We have a democratic governor, democratic senators and a lopsided democratic congressional troupe. Let us blame George W Bush for our problems....wait...wait.. that is Obama's excuse--- never mind, these dems will use GW Bush to blame for their mistakes as well. It is so sad that people are so blinded by their ideological view ponts that they cannot see their own mistakes. Granholm is another of these far left people that just cannot see their own mistakes.
Top Cat
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
I guess I got in here too late and it is pointless to heap any more criticism on Ms. Granholm. The sole question is where do we go from here. I do hope AA.com is going to have extensive coverage of the gubernatorial candidates before the primary. I'm genuinely undecided and finding it difficult to find objective information.
silverwings
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.
The loss of jobs in Michigan has been especially severe because, as has been pointed out many times by researchers from all over the political spectrum, it is blue-collar workers without higher education who have been the worst-hit in this recession. Michigan is reaping the whirlwind of the contempt for education that has been part of life in this state for so long. Far from blame, Granholm deserves credit for shielding the education system from the worst depradations of the tax-cutters such as those pushing a "Michigan turnaround plan" that would permanently reduce us to Mississippi status.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 7:56 a.m.
Granholm - lost the state nearly 1,000,000 jobs. Sky high bankruptcies and foreclosures. GDP in a free fall. People are 'evacuating' - FEMA has been called in.. Blame who you want - but she has not fixed anything. Her speech was more of the same and the Dems just lap it up. Do you really want to continue to fight for the status quo'? Does Michigan have another 1,000,000 jobs to blow away?. Nov - the Cheer-leading stops, the Work begins.
CuriousOneMi2
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 7:18 a.m.
Granholm inherited a growing economy in 2002-2003. It's been downhill ever since. Is it all her fault? Absolutely not, but she bears responsibility. MI's Real GDPGov 1997317,263Engler 1998323,089Engler 1999332,986Engler 2000337,235Engler 2001326,869Engler 2002336,862Engler 2003341,109Granholm 2004337,851Granholm 2005339,266Granholm 2006334,680Granholm 2007330,819Granholm 2008 (est)324,203Granholm 2009 (est)307,992Granholm 2010 (est)304,913Granholm Source: BEA The poor business climate contributes to Michigan's economic challenges. Corp. Tax Ranking (2010) Michigan48 Joblessness Ranking (2010) Michigan49-50 Economic Growth (2002-2010) Michigan50 Sources: Tax Foundation; BLS; BEA Vote wisely in November.
David Briegel
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.
booradley, The Walton family is as responsible for "speaking Chinese" as anyone. Since China won the cold war we should all learn Chinese!
Booradley
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 6:16 a.m.
Thank goodness for term limits. Anymore of Granholm in office and we'll all be speaking Chinese. Once she is gone there will be chance again for recovery.
sailhounds2
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 12:43 a.m.
I regret voting for Granholm. Now she shows up in blue jeans in Washtenaw County showing comedy clips and repeating her same tired platitudes. Reminds me of the American Idol or America's Got Talent contestants who never had a family member or one good friend who would tell them PLEASE DON'T DO THIS.. You're not that good and you are embarrassing yourself. We can only hope that she can kiss an Obama appointment goodbye. Joe Biden must be laughing his ass off right now.
Dan Stevens
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 11:33 p.m.
I don't know how much of the blame should be laid at Granholm's feet, but I do know that the past decade has not been good to us, and it's imperative that we make transformational change or else fall further behind the rest of the nation. - Michigan has lost more than 780,000 jobs since 2000. At over 15%, Michigans unemployment rate is 60% higher than the national average. - Michigan has lost more private sector jobs since the year 2000 than any other state in the country. - Michigan has lost more than half of all the private sector jobs lost in the United States from 2000 through May 2009. We need to make sweeping changes to our tax code, make it more competitive to attract employers to our state, reduce the size of government, control the costs associated with public employees, and invest in education and roads. The way to do that is to enact the Michigan Turnaround Plan. Have a look @ http://www.michiganturnaroundplan.com.
Bones
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 8:56 p.m.
Blanchard left the state in a mess, Engler made a even bigger mess. Granholm did nothing that helped anyone but her it seems. Is it just me, Or does it appear that our two parties are pretty much into it for the cash and NOT the well being of the state itself?
wereintroubl
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.
Gosh, can she dress any more casual for this event? She also looks constipated in that picture. Regarding the title of this article, I think that most of us would not want her to be governor during ANY period
David Briegel
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 7:40 p.m.
Gosh, I long for the good ole days of the "rotund one". Life was so much sweeter then. Cutting all those taxes. Cutting all that highway spending. Turning away all those evil federal matching funds. Do you enjoy the resulting gridlock? That is the Republican, Mad Hatter vision for our bright American future! Can anyone imagine attempting anything of any significance when the "party of no" is in control? Anything? You blame Jenny. If you have to govern again (heaven forbid) who will you blame four years from now??? They don't have a vision. They don't have a clue!
Rod Johnson
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 7:36 p.m.
What annarbortownie said. She inherited a state in shambles thanks to Engler... and then did absolutely nothing to help (and the Repub-dominated state legislature made sure she was checked at every opportunity anyhow). Face it, we have a totally dysfunctional state government right now. I doubt if any governor would have been much more effective. The "no regrets" stuff is just political boilerplate. What would you expect her (or any politician) to say? Has any outgoing governor or president ever said "whoo, we really screwed that one up, sorry"?
Soothslayer
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 7:27 p.m.
"No regrets", dear lord. (*jumbotron facepalm*) ESPECIALLY during tough times you need a leader who can lead, not some mamby pamby like Carter was. Sure they're both intelligent enough and maybe had good intentions but were ineffective when we needed strong leadership and swift action (like 20 years ago). During one of Michigans toughest periods Granholm was Michigans margarine of a governor and thats how she'll be remembered. Fieger anyone? Just saying...
annarbortownie
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 6:32 p.m.
While no one seems to remember the mess John Engler left upon exiting the office I am also no fan of Ms. Granholm. She had the opportunity to make changes and always played it safe. Never ruffle feathers, never stir things up. Spineless. I seriously doubt the next Gov. will do much better no matter who it is. Time will tell.
Jay Thomas
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 6:15 p.m.
I don't believe her. She fibs a lot.
braggslaw
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 6:01 p.m.
The MEA, UAW Teamsters etc. were her biggest supporters. The things that needed to be changed could not be changed by a governor locked into those special interests. Michigan has a few things going for it like a large base of auto engineering talent that cannot be found anywhere else. BUT Michigan does not have business friendly taxes, good weather, and is hampered by hostile labor. Why would any manufacturing company locate in Michigan?
Marshall Applewhite
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 4:57 p.m.
This is what happens when you attempt to create a union utopia while alienating those who actually provide union wages. Jenny would have figured this out long ago, but she has never worked in the private sector.
AlphaAlpha
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.
"As a result, she said, Michigan has been ranked the third best state in the country in terms of attracting new and expanded businesses for the last three years." According to whom? Anyone have a clue? Anyone?
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
P.P.S. A review of the state's annual audited financial statements (available at www.michigan.gov/documents/budget/cafr2009_313817_7.pdf) indicate the additional rather scary statistics: 3) The state had a deficit in 2009 of $3.8 billion - how was this possible when the budget is required to be balanced by law? (see page 22 of the pdf document referenced above) 4) The Actuarial Accrued Liability of the state run pension plans and health retirement plans at the end of the 2009 fiscal year was $15.5 billion (see page 84 of the pdf document referenced above) and $15.5 billion (see page 88 of the pdf document referenced above), respectively, for a total deficit of $31 billion (I hear from legislators that the current number is now calculated at about $37 billion). I wonder where that money is going to come from? 5) The state's General Fund unreserved account balance was just $177.2 million (see page 24) and the "rainy day fund" a/k/a the Counter Cyclical Budget and Economic Stabilization Fund had just $2.2 million (see page 35 of the pdf document referenced above).
Rasputin
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 4:15 p.m.
Two words: Obstructionist Republicans.
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 3:18 p.m.
P.S., I should note that the Governor made a statement in the speech, which was quite misleading. While it is true that Governor Engler created the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, it was mostly a rebranding exercise following a restructuring of entities that already were in existence inside the state government. The original name of the MEDC was the Michigan Strategic Fund, which was created by Governor Blanchard in 1984, see http://www.mackinac.org/archives/2009/S2009-06.pdf, and Michigan Strategic Fund Act, (Michigan Legislature,1984), http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rqebc5iqm1lv1wa0xwwn4w55))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-270-of-1984.pdf for background info on the history of this government agency.
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
I was there and saw first-hand this rather impressive speech. She is an extremely talented public speaker. Then I started thinking about the things she didn't mention: 1) The 2011 budget structural deficit of $2.4 billion; 2) The fact that Michigan ranks 48th (ahead of only New York and California) in ease of doing business. "Business CEOs and site location consultants view Michigans business climate as among the worst of all fifty states. These perceptions are driven by their views on the cost and ease of doing business in Michigan," according to the Michigan Turnaround Plan website, see www.michiganturnaroundplan.com/uncompetitive_business_growth.php These views are unfortunately in accord with what I also hear. It is extremely tough to "get things done" in Michigan if you run a business and need something from local or state government. @jj In case you wanted the exact number of job losses during her term, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistic (http://data.bls.gov), Michigan's non-farm jobs have declined since she was governor from 4,450,500 in January 2003 to 3,852,700 or roughly 600,000 jobs, a decline of 13.5%. FYI, all government jobs declined during the same time frame from 688,100 to 644,600, or 6.3%. Non-government, non-farm jobs therefore declined by 554,300 or 14.7%. If we don't start getting our economy going and create a significant number of jobs, we could lose 15% of our state's population and then where will we be? Our moment of truth will arrive when other states are adding jobs and there are alternatives to sitting at home waiting for the economy to improve versus renting a rental truck and moving to a state where jobs are growing. At the current time, there is no point leaving the state, but that situation won't last forever.
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 3:14 p.m.
Worst. Governor. Ever. She leaves office with the state in turmoil and the jobs outlook very poor because she banked everything on preserving the unions, a new business tax structure that keeps entrepreneurs out, and constant threats of new taxes. Meanwhile, she guts the state's judicial system to ensure we keep predators on the streets like the guy who raped that poor woman at EMU last week. Yeah, I'm blown away.
jj
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.
Thousands of jobs lost in this state and she has no regrets? She must have really had to take a big pay cut to help out with the deficit. She only has blue-jeans to wear to a dinner with her constituents. Perhaps a Governor's Wardrobe Tax before she leaves office will fix that.
John Galt
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 1:06 p.m.
Good riddance.....
Orangecrush2000
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 12:27 p.m.
I think that if Granholm closed her eyes, she would think that no one sees her.
KeepingItReal
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 12:01 p.m.
You may not have wanted to be Governor "at any other period of time than now," but there are plenty of us who would have preferred otherwise.
stunhsif
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 10:04 a.m.
No regrets Jenny? We regret that you were ever elected and have for the past eight years. You truly caused us to be "blown away". Cannot wait until November to see you go bye bye. You'll probably be back though as a lobbyist unfortunately.
AnnArBo
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 9:28 a.m.
I'm blown away............
sbbuilder
Sun, Jun 20, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
No regrets? Seriously, you've been in office for eight years, and you can't think of a single thing? I won't be presumptuos enough to begin the list, but displaying this sort of lack of honest introspection is troubling. And: "I wouldn't have wanted to have somebody else whose values I disagree with making decisions at this time." I guess the voters here in Michigan will demontrate their approval of your decisions, and your values this fall. At that point, it will become very clear if we think you have been going in the right direction.