Tecumseh mayor attends State of State Address by Governor Rick Snyder, who says Michigan ‘moving in the right direction’

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh Mayor Richard Johnson visited Lansing on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to hear Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State Address from the Michigan House floor. Johnson was the guest of Michigan Rep. Nancy Jenkins for the occasion.

“It was really an honor to be asked to be up there for this, and I really appreciated it,” said Johnson. “Nancy has a really choice aisle seat where I sat with her, and we got to shake hands with everybody as they came in and out.” The mayor said he also received “the nickel tour” of the capitol building and attended a couple of receptions with Jenkins, including one hosted by Speaker of the House Jase Bolger, and one with Charles Moss, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, which Jenkins sits on.

“I’m a big Rick Snyder fan anyway, so some of the things he was talking about struck me,” said Johnson, recalling some highlights. “He talked about jobs and how good it is for the state of Michigan to be leading the way in recovering from its previous jobless rate, but that we still have a ways to go and there will be more work.”

Johnson also heard the governor talk about Michigan having four of the top 10 crime cities. “He said he will spend the second half of this year focusing on that, and trying to get more police on the streets and make more law enforcement jobs available to help alleviate that situation.” He also said Gov. Snyder “threw down the gauntlet,” encouraging the lawmakers to make good progress this year on setting the state’s budget as they had done last year.

“He also spoke about the farm community, which is often neglected,” said Johnson. “Coming from a rural community like Lenawee, it was good to hear him talk about agriculture.”
Johnson said it’s always better to hear a speech in person than on TV or radio or see it through other media. “You get more out of it,” he said. The mayor was also impressed with the pomp and circumstance of the gathering. “They had to get permission for people to come in and out of the Chamber, from senators to justices and the cabinet, and they had to be escorted. It was really something.”

The governor noted that Michigan’s economy is “moving in the right direction,” and said 2012 must be devoted to continuing the state’s reinvention by taking care of unfinished business, addressing other critical challenges and emphasizing good government. He said the state has more work to do.

“We made large strides to make Michigan great again,” Snyder said. “Michiganders came together and worked with relentless positive action to deliver the meaningful change that is getting our state back on its feet. Thanks to the leadership of our legislative partners, we’ve taken bold but thoughtful action to do what’s right for Michigan. We’re getting it right and getting it done. But this is no time to let up. Job One is still jobs. Ensuring bright, prosperous futures for working families and their children demands a steadfast commitment to Michigan’s reinvention.”

Jenkins also released a statement following the speech. “Gov. Snyder delivered a clear message this year: our work isn’t done yet,” Jenkins said. “Over the past year, the Legislature and the administration worked together to enact positive reforms, making big changes to government spending, our tax structure, and regulations on job providers.” She said changes this important are never easy in the short-term, but will lead to long-term prosperity that helps everyone.

“We are already receiving national attention for having a more positive economic outlook,” Jenkins said. “When it comes to public policy, a job well done is one that never really finishes. We must continue to look at ways Michigan can be improved to be even more fiscally responsible and pave the way for job creation. State government must come together again to help make Michigan a better place for the families that are depending on us.”

Snyder said the foundation for economic success was laid by getting the state’s fiscal house in order and through policy reforms such as the elimination of the job-killing Michigan Business Tax.

As promised in last year’s address, Snyder reviewed key measures of the Michigan Dashboard at www.michigan.gov/MIDashboard.

Michigan’s unemployment rate fell from 11.1 percent in December 2010 to 9.3 percent in December 2011, bringing it to the lowest rate since October 2008. Michigan also added nearly 80,000 private-sector jobs last year and these jobs are higher paying than the national average. However, Snyder pointed out that the unemployment rate is still too high and that too many families are hurting. He added that challenges with crime, college readiness among students and obesity still remain.
The governor also said that continued support for education, local communities and key industries such as automotive, agriculture, tourism, mining and timber is essential to Michigan’s future.

The governor outlined several issues that he would like to tackle this year with cooperation of the legislature including government accountability; crime; health care; autism; energy and environment; taxes; infrastructure; new international trade crossing; global talent; and communities.

Mayor Johnson said that he also discovered some Tecumseh ties at the Capitol while speaking with a sergeant at arms group there.

“One fellow whose last name was Randall had parents who live in River Acres, and another was a nephew to the Harvey/Carpenter family that used to operate the Tecumseh Inn and Harvey’s Restaurant,” Johnson said. “So Tecumseh has ties in the capitol. I really enjoyed talking with them and with the people at the event.”