March Madness makes me return to my roots...with my eye on Michigan's future
Channeling my own basketball past, yesterday I returned to my alma mater, Detroit Country Day School (DCDS), to hear the Alumni Council’s first speaker series. The theme for the talk was “Investing in Michigan” and featured guest speakers U.S. Congressman Pete Hoekstra and Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon.
As fond memories of my high school basketball days surrounded me, I recall a favorite line from a classic hoops movie, Hoosiers. In the words of Jimmy Chitwood, “I’ve got something to say”. Warning: I’m about to get on my soapbox.
Given that Hoekstra and Dillon are currently candidates in the race for Governor and that our sister organization, Michigan LCV Education Fund is holding its very own Gubernatorial Forum this May, I was very interested in what each legislator had to say.
While the event showcased a rare civil discussion of the issues, there was notably little distinction between the Republican and Democrat. In fact, they agreed on many things, including getting government (specifically the former DEQ) out of the way of business.
Speaker Dillon opened with, “I won't bore you the details of the budget”. Ironically, I had already submitted my first of four questions, which was about the budget (specifically, the budget of the new DNRE), not to mention the theme of the event was “Investing in Michigan”.
To me, the budget and investing in Michigan go hand-in-hand. If we don't invest in two key areas: 1) the protection of our natural resources and 2) clean energy; there won’t be a Pure Michigan to promote in its tourism ad campaign, or a way to grow much needed long-term jobs. In the words of our Vice President, “don’t tell me your priorities, show me your budget”.
Currently, Michigan ranks 47th in the nation on investment in the protection of our natural resources. While that's a despicable stat on its own, without adequate funding, new departments like the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) can't protect our water and natural resources, which form the basis of our wealth as a state. And they surely won't have the resources necessary to do their job in a timely manner.
Ironies abounded that morning.
Dillon said Michiganders would be alarmed if we were losing our water at the rate that we lose our 18-year-olds to other states. Yes, I certainly would be alarmed…which is why we’ve been advocating for water to be included in the public trust.
Both gentlemen wanted “government to get out of the way”. Dillon mentioned that the one thing business can’t stand is uncertainty. Uncertainty is exactly what Rep. Hoekstra’s “NO” vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act delivered. If we want to “attract capital”, we need to attract the businesses of the future with a manufacturing sector that is prepared to adapt to a changing economy.
Both candidates pontificated about how slow the DEQ is to permit things like the Kennecott mine in the UP and proposed new coal-fired power plants, but they failed to acknowledge the devastating environmental impact of either.
Furthermore, an investment in clean energy has the potential to grow long-term jobs in Michigan. A recent U.S. CAP study shows that Michigan stands to gain upwards of 53,000 new jobs if we (ever!) get federal energy legislation passed.
Instead of hearing a discussion about “investing in Michigan”, I listened to both gentlemen take turns blaming entities like the former Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for a slow permitting process hindering the ability of coal-fired powered plants and dangerous nickel mines to set up shop in Michigan. I listened to Congressman Hoekstra slam the DEQ for regulating water use throughout the state. And I listened to them both say we need to get government out of the way of business.
I’m all for efficiency, but not at the expense of our state’s best assets.
As I travel around the state to listen to other candidates for Michigan's next chief executive position, I will be looking for answers to this question: How can we rebuild Michigan's economy without investing in clean energy jobs and safeguarding our natural resources?
Posted by Kerry Duggan, Michigan LCV Deputy Director and DCDS Alumni Class of 1996. Michigan LCV Director of Operations Pam Bierzynski and I are wishing our former coach Frank Orlando and the Lady Jackets good luck in their state championship today!
