Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich

The people of Michigan need to have an honest conversation about whether they are serious about real change or whether they will continue to decay. There is no middle ground. It will take large, not small, solutions to meet the size of the problem and create a better future for the state. I'm optimistic that Michigan's future will be competitive with China and India because of the many bold solutions proposed by groups like Business Leaders for Michigan.

Speaker of the House Andy Dillon (on Frank Beckman show)

12/15/2009

I think the Turnaround Plan that they put together is a very good start…we need to start building on what the Business Leaders for Michigan are putting together…As a package it’s the right thing to do for the state.

John Phipps – Grand Rapids Press:

11/17/2009

Fixing what appears to be broken requires a political process that begins to act on what is in the best interests of the state as a whole…The new 70-CEO organization, Business Leaders for Michigan,…laid out some core principles that should guide those changes and challenge the respective ideologies of Democrats and Republicans.

JacksonCitizen Patriot Editorial:

11/17/2009

A strong voice in this burgeoning reform effort is…Business Leaders for Michigan. If lawmakers and candidates in the 2010 election are looking for ideas, they would do well to put this group on speed dial.

Midland Daily News Editorial:

11/12/2009

This year, lawmakers must act, and act boldly, to solve Michigan’s economic crisis. The plan put forth by Business Leaders for Michigan offers them a solid starting point.

Delivered by Bob Sliva - V.P. & General Manager WXYZ:

9/25/2009

It’s a bold move but one that could benefit our region and the State of Michigan. …Given the state’s economic woes and record unemployment, help from these powerful corporate leaders could not have come at a more crucial time; their suggestions should be welcomed, debated and given serious consideration. Business Leaders for Michigan has a voice worth hearing and could be an important catalyst for improving Michigan’s future.

Business Review West Michigan:

9/24/2009

Business Leaders for Michigan on right track - Business Leaders for Michigan has set itself a tough mission — righting a ship that has gone way off course. Thank goodness someone is willing to jump in these waters and start pushing.

Robert Ficano - Wayne County Executive:

9/14/2009

Executive Ficano congratulates Detroit Renaissance on new name, new plan: Detroit Renaissance has done a tremendous job representing the vision of the region’s top executive leaders. It takes visionaries and true leaders to make tough decisions and needed changes that reflect current situations and garner success in the future. I am sure there will not be 100% agreement on all proposals, but it is vital we work together to bring a better business climate to Michigan.

Nancy Crawley - Grand Rapids Press Columnist:

9/13/2009

Business leaders step up to the plate amid state budget crisis - The most important thing is that someone -- the state's major employers in this case -- is jumping in where Michigan's political leaders have left a leadership void. Someone finally is saying, "Do you see how bad unemployment is. Do you see how dire the situation is for businesses and communities? Do you see the iceberg straight ahead?"…The Business Leaders group offered a more comprehensive "Michigan Turnaround Plan" ….

Detroit News Editorial:

9/13/2009

Expanded business group offers the right plan for fixing what ails Michigan..It’s a common-sense plan and one the Legislature and governor should embrace.

Ron Weiser - Michigan Republican Party Chairman:

9/11/2009

The Michigan Republic Party congratulates members of the new Business Leaders for Michigan who are taking bold steps to help Michigan…They have proposed innovative ideas that will put Michigan residents back to work. Many of these ideas have been Republican proposals in years past.

Like all things, this agenda needs careful review, but on the surface, it looks to address the structural change needed in our state while protecting hard-working families from an additional tax burden. I hope Lansing won’t be quick to judge this plan but will take time to carefully consider the various ideas, keeping their focus on what is in the best interest of the people of this state and not political gain.

Glenn Gilbert – The Oakland Press Executive Editor:

9/10/2009

A high-powered group of Michigan business leaders has coalesced around a five-step “Michigan Turnaround Plan” that should prompt the state legislature to borrow a response from Nike’s playbook. “Just Do It!”

Free Press Editorial:

9/10/2009

…we're encouraged to note that Business Leaders for Michigan, the geographically supersized version of Detroit Renaissance, has proposed similarly fundamental changes in the way Lansing sets spending priorities for the entire state.
We're not prepared to embrace all of the initiatives proposed in BLM's detailed turnaround plan for Michigan, but BLM's arguments for the adoption of two-year budgets, massive service sharing among local governments, and the consolidation of school districts, state universities and other redundant political entities is unassailable. These are precisely the sort of structural reforms Michigan lawmakers should have been discussing in earnest long before the latest budget debate came down to the wire.

Edward Deeb – Michigan Business & Professional Association/Michigan Food & Beverage Association President & CEO

9/6/2009

On behalf of our 3,400 members of the Michigan Food and Beverage Association, and the 21,000 members of the Michigan Business and Professional Association, mostly small and medium-sized businesses, we congratulate you on the formation of the Business leaders for Michigan organization. The Michigan Turnaround Plan is an outstanding blueprint which not only unites business organizations statewide, but will assure that the business community is represented in Lansing and Washington.

Since our basic objectives have been so similar to yours we at this time would like to endorse the program goals and action steps to help revitalize the State of Michigan. We, too, would like to see Michigan become a “top ten state” once again. This will help attract the kind of talent that we need to successfully assure the new growth and development of our communities. As the largest business association in Michigan we would like very much to become a player in your plans. We have been fighting for the rights and opportunities of small businesses for more than 47 years. Count on us.