Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a new “Opportunity Scholarship” to provide two years of tuition coverage at a community college or nonprofit university to boost the state's talent pool.
Lansing, Feb. 12, 2019 – Michigan’s leading advocate for small business, NFIB, today offered observations on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the State Address this evening.
“Over the last eight years tough policy decisions were made that turned our state around and made us a great state to bring a business, grow a business, or start a business,” said Charlie Owens, state director of NFIB in Michigan. “We are eager to work with Governor Whitmer to keep Michigan on a positive track.”
The Governor announced a new “Opportunity Scholarship” to provide two years of tuition coverage at a community college or nonprofit university to boost the state’s talent pool. This would be in addition to programs to help retrain adults looking for new skills in order to meet the demands for new jobs.
“Finding skilled workers is one of the biggest problems facing small business today, said Owens. “We are interested in efforts to address the problem and are looking forward to more details on these programs and how they will be financed.”
One of the themes that was consistent throughout the speech was the call for a bipartisan approach to solving problems. Owens said that the early move by the Attorney General to collaborate with the legislature on further reforms to Michigan’s civil asset forfeiture laws was a positive move in that direction. “Civil forfeiture laws allow the government to seize private property from a citizen or small business owner without ever charging them with a crime,” said Owens. “It is time for this unfair practice to end.”
On the Governor’s announcement of “leveling the playing field for small business” through an improved procurement process, Owens said that, while such improvements are welcomed, the best way to keep the playing field level for Michigan small businesses is to continue the progress made in improving the state’s overall business climate.
“Michigan has taken the high ground in tax, fiscal, regulatory, and labor policy and we need to hold it,” added Owens.
Owens was also very enthusiastic about the Governor’s commitment to resolve the state’s broken no-fault auto insurance system. “This is a problem that has plagued our state for far too long.”
“We look forward to working with the Governor and we are anxious to see how her agenda aligns with our own Main Street Agenda for 2019,” said Owens.
NFIB’s Main Street Agenda for Michigan can be viewed HERE.
