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Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 10:29:47 AM EDT
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(Much better than the rally to honor the energy feedstock that allowed the sun to never set on the British Empire taking place in Lansing today. - promoted by Eric B.)
This morning, the Midwestern Governors' Association begins a two-day Jobs and Energy Summit in Detroit.
A front-page story in today's WaPo highlights Gov. Granholm's efforts to bring green jobs to Michigan ("In Michigan, A Yellow Light For Green Jobs").
The Post story leads with this:
If the future of American manufacturing lies in green industries, the Michigan governor's pursuit of jobs offers a cautionary tale.
I truly hope that something comes out of the MGA meeting, and I appreciate the Governor's ongoing efforts to bring clean energy jobs to Michigan. (Heaven knows we need 'em.)
Realistically, though, she can't do it all by herself.
A company considering a move to our state would be understandably put off by Lansing's non-stop infighting, our chronic unemployment, a crumbling infrastructure, and the low literacy level of our workforce. |
| kelster :: Green Michigan Jobs: Mike 'n' Andy need to pay attention |
| The question is whether Bishop, Dillon & Co. are able to remove their heads from their respective posteriors and realize that continued cuts to education, human services and infrastructure -- not to mention their inability to complete a budget on time -- actually damage our state's ability to attract and retain businesses.
Low taxes sound good, but as the Tax Foundation notes,
Clearly, there are many non-tax factors that affect a state's overall business climate: its proximity to raw materials or transportation centers, its regulatory or legal structures, the quality of its education system and the skill of its workforce, not to mention the intangible perception of a state's "quality of life."
Michigan legislative "leaders" insistence on game-playing and politicking is unprofessional and irresponsible. It's the equivalent of paramedics at the scene of an accident arguing over who caused it, who will get the credit for saving the victims, and who will have to pay for it. In the meantime, the victims continue to bleed and their prognoses worsen by the minute. |
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