Germany as a model

Governor Snyder and others have suggested Germany as a model for what they would like the Michigan economy to be. Largely a place that makes products that are in demand across the planet. A Michigan that once again is a…

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the Myth of Michigan Big Government III

In preparing for a presentation to the Michigan Society of Association Executives I took a look at what has happened to state taxes and spending this decade. Boy is convention wisdom wrong! To listen to the chatter from Lansing, despite…

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Good Stuff from the GR Press

Two excellent opinion pieces this week from the Grand Rapids Press. One on college attainment being the key to economic growth, the other on low taxes not being the answer. Both worth reading. The editorial on college attainment has some…

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State Budget Part II

I had a chance a few weeks ago to lay out for the State Board of Education how I would deal with the state's long term structural budget deficit. Here is the agenda I presented: 1. Restructuring the Michigan tax…

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Public Investments, Part II

So if public investments are the key to better position Michigan to prosper in a knowledge-based economy what should policy makers do? The framework for action was spelled out by the Milliken/Blanchard panel in 2007. A group of bi partisan…

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