Pure Michigan Campaign Survives

One week ago, the state House passed a bill to temporarily keep the Pure Michigan advertising campaign alive for another year to boost tourism in the state. True to form, the legislature waited until the 11th hour to pass House Bill 5880, which will fund the marketing campaign for the year. Had the legislature waited any longer, the campaign would not have had enough funding to buy advertising slots in May, effectively missing the chance to reach consumers prior to summer vacation months.

The Pure Michigan campaign is regarded nationally as a model to boost in-state tourism as well as attract out of state visitors. Michigan LCV applauds the legislature for finally acting to keep this campaign alive. Tourism and recreation is a top three industry in MIchigan, and an economic driver we cannot afford to shortchange.

However, citizens and state officials must not overlook the fact that the agency required to monitor and protect our natural resources, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE), is drastically underfunded. The DNRE's staffing and funding levels are at all-time lows, and because of this, the very assets that Pure Michigan advertises are suffering. State parks and campgrounds are in dire need of repair. Trailways are not maintained. Hundreds of leaking underground storage tanks at contaminated sites across Michigan threaten water quality in our rivers, lakes and streams. It is time for lawmakers to make this logical connection and fund not only the promotion of our natural resources, but their protection, as well.