Tally of Proposed Government Expansions and Limitations in State of the State Address Available Wednesday Night
Mackinac Center experts available before and after for analysis of public-sector benefits, regulatory reform, economic development, budget, education and other proposals
MIDLAND — Mackinac Center Fiscal Policy Director Michael D. LaFaive tonight will continue his tradition of counting and categorizing new initiatives offered by Michigan governors in their annual State of the State addresses. Mackinac Center analysts will compare the total number of proposed government expansions and limitations in this year’s address to gubernatorial speeches dating back to 1969.
“I expect and hope that Gov. Snyder will offer a more sober State of the State than we’ve heard in the recent past, and one planted firmly in Michigan’s reality,” said LaFaive.
According to news reports, Gov. Rick Snyder will make public-employee benefits one of the focal points of his speech. Mackinac Center analysts have found that local, state and public school employees in Michigan receive annual benefits that are $5.7 billion above those of the private sector. Detailed information is available here and here.
“The governor should continue talking about finding a fairer balance between the benefits received by public-sector workers and those who pay their bills,” LaFaive added.
Snyder also is expected to address regulatory reform in his speech.
The 2011 “scorecard” will be posted on the Center’s website shortly after the completion of Gov. Synder’s speech.
