DETROIT — Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, saluted Governor Snyder on his 2014 Executive Budget Recommendation, and his emphasis on structurally balancing the budget, reducing the state’s long standing debt obligations and investing in the budget stabilization fund.
Doug Rothwell, president & CEO, said, “We applaud the Governor for continuing his commitment to getting Michigan’s fiscal house in order and addressing the long-standing debt obligations that have beleaguered our state. Getting our state on a strong fiscal footing is critical to a full economic recovery and an essential part of the Michigan Turnaround Plan.”
In addition, Business Leaders for Michigan praised the Governor for addressing early childhood needs in his budget presentation. “Studies show that children who participate in a good preschool experience have more success in life,” Rothwell said. “We want every child to enter kindergarten ready to succeed, yet many of our children today are playing catch up. If we invest on the front end, they will do better in school and have better opportunities down the road.”
Rothwell also commented on the recommendations for higher education, “For the second year in a row, the Governor has proposed increases in higher education based on performance. We appreciate that the state has begun to reverse the decade of disinvestment in our colleges and universities. Investments in higher education contribute directly to our children and the state’s success. The changing global economy puts a premium on college graduates and Michigan is currently looking at a talent shortage of 900,000 graduates by 2020. To make college more affordable for our children, increase the number of college graduates our state needs to grow the economy and incent our colleges and universities to perform better than their peers, it will take a substantial long-term commitment. As the state’s fiscal health continues to return, it is critical we move even faster to boost state investments in areas that will promote future growth, such as higher education.”
