Michigan Turnaround Plan

 

Making Investments That Create A Great Job Environment

Invest in Education

Where We Are

  • Average K-12 performance must improve to match per capita spending (Spending: 8th; Performance: 34th)*

  • Higher education investment should increase from current status of 38th* to "Top Ten"

Where We Need to Go

  • Improve K-12 performance:

    • Consolidate administration of Michigan's 500+ school districts by reducing per pupil state funding for districts that fail to share services
    • Retain demanding graduation standards
    • Allow an unlimited number of charter schools to stimulate competition, especially in under-performing districts

  • Ensure "Top Ten" higher education

    • Rationalize the number of colleges & universites to a number the state can support long-term
    • Increase funding to remaining community colleges & universites to achieve "Top Ten" status

Invest in Infrastructure

Where We Are

  • Michigan has a "Top Ten" airport hub that is under-leveraged as an economic development engine

  • Michigan scores below average in the condition of its highways - a critical need for a peninsula state

Where We Need to Go

  • Advocate for incentives and provide support for the Detroit Aerotropolis and other airport-related development

  • Adopt new funding formulas to ensure Michigan has adequate revenues to support a "Top Ten" transportation infrastructure

    • Improve to "Top Ten" road condition
    • Expand freeway connectivity to adjoining states
    • Expand passenger air service throughout Michigan
    • Support mass transit in dense population corridors

Invest in Lakes and Cities

Where We Are

  • The Great Lakes provide Michigan a defining "place" to attract and retain talent in global marketplace, yet Michigan lacks a holistic strategy to leverage this unique asset

  • Michigan needs an "urban strategy" - a critical need for retaining and attracting talent and improving Michigan's image

Where We Need to Go

  • Develop a comprehensive Great Lakes strategy that includes incentives, policies and funding that:

    • Partners with other states on a global marketing program
    • Supports the growth of tourism amenities
    • Responsibly utilizes the lakes as an economic asset (e.g.: energy production)
    • Supports the development of residential & retirement destinations that leverage a Great Lakes location

  • Develop an urban agenda that includes incentives, policies and funding that:

    • Attracts people to live downtown
    • Attracts business investments
    • Develops mass transit along densely populated corridors