Comments from Beverley McDonald regarding the
News Editorial of Sunday, October 28th, 2007
Match state's policies to its priorities - Nolan Finley
The ongoing tug-of-war over how to cut the budget gets to the heart of the primary issue facing Michigan: What does this state
want to be in the 21st century?
Gov. Jennifer Granholm and House Democrats are squared off with Senate Republicans over whether roughly $50 million
should be used for Medicaid benefits for 18- and 19-year-olds, or to continue scholarships for students at private colleges.
The dispute boils down to this crucial question: Will Michigan be the state that provides its young people with the best welfare
benefits or the state that offers them the highest-quality educational opportunities?
Despite a massive increase in taxes, there's not enough money for it to be both. Choices have to be made, and how we make
them will determine whether the state continues its economic collapse or rises from this crisis ready and able to compete in the
global economy.
So far, our policies don't match our stated priorities.
During the past five years, spending on welfare and corrections has soared, while funding for universities and K-12 schools has
dwindled. Once again in this new budget, education spending falls well short.
A state that sets as its top priority spending on hand-outs and prisons will end up with more welfare recipients and inmates than
college graduates.
Likewise, a state that drains businesses to pay for big spending programs will gain more government, but a lot fewer jobs and
less business investment.
The tax policy that's emerged from the budget process punishes business. It's made Michigan a higher-cost place to build and
expand companies.
Nothing in the new tax structure will attract the high-tech, high-skill jobs Michigan says it hopes to lure.
In fact, unless key fixes are made, it will drive existing employers away. Instead of sending a signal of change, the policy has
made Michigan the object of national derision for believing it can tax its way to prosperity.
I took a look at the Milken Institute report on the 200 best performing American cities. Scanning the list, I didn't find a Michigan
community until spot 184, occupied by Ann Arbor. Eight of the bottom 20 large cities belong to Michigan, as do six of the bottom
20 small cities.
Milken bases its ratings on a city's economic vitality, which it says is enhanced by public policies that encourage
entrepreneurship and investment.
That Michigan is so singularly well represented at the bottom of the heap speaks loudly about how out-of-synch its policies are
with those of thriving states.
Michigan talks a lot about attracting and retaining talent, becoming a technology magnet, transforming to a capital of the
knowledge economy.
But when it's time to put its money where its mouth is, the state adopts policies that run counter to its professed goals.
Nothing about the current budget decisions suggests a state that is prepared to take itself in a new direction.
Rather, the priorities Michigan is setting for spending its resources indicate it wants to be the state with the fattest welfare
checks, the biggest prisons and the most dependent and least educated citizens.
Nolan Finley is editorial page editor of The News. Reach him at nfinley@detnews.com. Watch him at 8:30 p.m. Fridays on "Am I
Right?" on Channel 56.
Comments from Beverley McDonald regarding above editorial:
The welfare myths go on and on...as must our struggle for economic justice. Welfare grants
haven't been significantly raised for 16 years in this state and are roughly $470 a month for a
family of three for all nonfood items. Are these the "fattest welfare checks" among states
that are referenced here? This misrepresentation should be on the CC website.
News Editorial of Sunday, October 28th, 2007
Match state's policies to its priorities - Nolan Finley
The ongoing tug-of-war over how to cut the budget gets to the heart of the primary issue facing Michigan: What does this state
want to be in the 21st century?
Gov. Jennifer Granholm and House Democrats are squared off with Senate Republicans over whether roughly $50 million
should be used for Medicaid benefits for 18- and 19-year-olds, or to continue scholarships for students at private colleges.
The dispute boils down to this crucial question: Will Michigan be the state that provides its young people with the best welfare
benefits or the state that offers them the highest-quality educational opportunities?
Despite a massive increase in taxes, there's not enough money for it to be both. Choices have to be made, and how we make
them will determine whether the state continues its economic collapse or rises from this crisis ready and able to compete in the
global economy.
So far, our policies don't match our stated priorities.
During the past five years, spending on welfare and corrections has soared, while funding for universities and K-12 schools has
dwindled. Once again in this new budget, education spending falls well short.
A state that sets as its top priority spending on hand-outs and prisons will end up with more welfare recipients and inmates than
college graduates.
Likewise, a state that drains businesses to pay for big spending programs will gain more government, but a lot fewer jobs and
less business investment.
The tax policy that's emerged from the budget process punishes business. It's made Michigan a higher-cost place to build and
expand companies.
Nothing in the new tax structure will attract the high-tech, high-skill jobs Michigan says it hopes to lure.
In fact, unless key fixes are made, it will drive existing employers away. Instead of sending a signal of change, the policy has
made Michigan the object of national derision for believing it can tax its way to prosperity.
I took a look at the Milken Institute report on the 200 best performing American cities. Scanning the list, I didn't find a Michigan
community until spot 184, occupied by Ann Arbor. Eight of the bottom 20 large cities belong to Michigan, as do six of the bottom
20 small cities.
Milken bases its ratings on a city's economic vitality, which it says is enhanced by public policies that encourage
entrepreneurship and investment.
That Michigan is so singularly well represented at the bottom of the heap speaks loudly about how out-of-synch its policies are
with those of thriving states.
Michigan talks a lot about attracting and retaining talent, becoming a technology magnet, transforming to a capital of the
knowledge economy.
But when it's time to put its money where its mouth is, the state adopts policies that run counter to its professed goals.
Nothing about the current budget decisions suggests a state that is prepared to take itself in a new direction.
Rather, the priorities Michigan is setting for spending its resources indicate it wants to be the state with the fattest welfare
checks, the biggest prisons and the most dependent and least educated citizens.
Nolan Finley is editorial page editor of The News. Reach him at nfinley@detnews.com. Watch him at 8:30 p.m. Fridays on "Am I
Right?" on Channel 56.
Comments from Beverley McDonald regarding above editorial:
The welfare myths go on and on...as must our struggle for economic justice. Welfare grants
haven't been significantly raised for 16 years in this state and are roughly $470 a month for a
family of three for all nonfood items. Are these the "fattest welfare checks" among states
that are referenced here? This misrepresentation should be on the CC website.
 | |  |
Beverley McDonald's Response to Nolan Finley