Although it may be a little late for Governor Jennifer Granholm’s recent “contrition,” we cannot however, overlook the value of her words for upcoming policy influence. Today, Granholm announced to the press that raising taxes was “too hard, too impossible” and that she plans to get creative with the private sector to help in reducing costs etc..
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy agrees with her. They have actually been presenting”well reasoned” ideas, with facts, and follow up figures to back up their proposals. Perhaps she could consult with the analysts who have made it their business to help Michigan regain fiscal responsibility. It would do the governor well to at the very least consult with those in the Mackinac Center. Maybe even take a few of their ideas as “her own.” Its not about the politics, rather it is about rational financial planning in an environment which means life or death to a state economy.
I wish her well with a policy approach which involves cutting state waste, and “never again raising taxes.” Hopefully her words are not just that… words.
The governor however, has waited too long to earn a vote of confidence from this overworked taxpayer, and I somehow suspect she will be short in earning my respect anytime soon unless she loosens her ties to the State Employee’s Unions who are in her pockets or vice versa. The overriding cost to the Michigan taxpayer due to union overhead in our bloated government sector is appalling.
Because I don’t expect her to take MY ADVICE, or the advice of anyone who shares a similar fiscal ideology, I think her lip service will be what continues to put politicians in the back of the line when the tickets to trustworthiness are being handed out.