We’re blessed in Northwest Michigan to have a strong and growing local wine industry — a sector of our economy that perfectly brings together local agriculture and tourism. From hillsides flush with grapevines to the many tasting rooms that dot our highways, this vibrant industry adds much to our local economy and our way of [...]
Category Archives: Issues
Clean energy jobs for Michigan workers
August 12, 2010 – 2:55 pm
Yesterday, I had the chance to speak at the Energy Summit put on by the Michigan Laborers District Council about the job opportunities in Michigan’s emerging clean energy economy. While there is no question that this devastating recession has hit Michigan’s working families hard, there is solid evidence that our efforts to make Michigan a [...]
Standing up for Michigan workers
July 27, 2010 – 8:44 pm
It’s no secret we’re facing some tough challenges in Michigan. Michigan’s unemployment rate of 13.2% remains among the worst in the nation, representing 681,000 Michigan workers who have seen their jobs disappear, their lives upended, and the American dream slipping away.
Buy Michigan First!
May 16, 2010 – 3:52 pm
Earlier this month, I launched a new website to provide a forum for Michigan residents looking to Buy Michigan First! The website encourages residents to support Michigan’s small businesses, protect and create local jobs and revitalize our economy by purchasing Michigan-made products and …
Some green news on Earth Day: Deutsche Bank highlights green jobs success
April 22, 2010 – 10:22 pm
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, an OpEd in today’s Detroit News suggests that Michigan has much to gain in the emerging green economy. Kevin Parker, the global head of Deutsche Bank’s asset management division, highlights the connection between protecting our environment and creating the clean energy jobs of the future. Where [...]
The Blueprint: An economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work
October 30, 2008 – 2:44 pm
Over the course of this campaign, I have focused on a single key issue: how to rebuild Michigan’s economy and get our people back to work. As part of this effort to shine a spotlight on Michigan’s economic challenges and opportunities, over the last eleven weeks I’ve laid out a comprehensive plan – one week [...]
First, do no harm: ending the political delays that harm Michigan's economic outlook
October 23, 2008 – 7:32 pm
(Part 11 in an 11-week economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work) With all the challenges facing Michigan’s economy, the first thing the legislature needs to do is to make sure it’s not making a difficult situation even worse. Michigan citizens deserve a state legislature that is willing [...]
Big Picture for Small Business
October 16, 2008 – 6:09 pm
(Part 10 in an 11-week economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work) Any effort to get Michigan’s economy back on track has to pay special attention to small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are essential to strong main streets, strong communities, and a [...]
Common-Sense Regulation
October 9, 2008 – 2:23 pm
(Part 9 in an 11-week economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work) There has been a lot of talk recently, both nationally and as part of the local political discussion, about the proper role of regulation. To some, regulation – any regulation – is always bad, an ideological [...]
A Competitive and Predictable Business Tax Climate
October 2, 2008 – 10:56 am
(Part 8 in an 11-week economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work) As we work to diversify our economy, create jobs, and get our economy back on track, there is no doubt that creating a competitive and predictable business tax environment is crucial to our success. As I’ve [...]
