LANSING – State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) responded today to Governor Jennifer Granholm's State of the State Address and praised the Governor for demonstrating solid leadership in rocky economic times.
"Even though difficult decisions will have to be made with regard to this year's budget shortfall and the 2007-2008 budget, we must be up to the challenge of fixing it and moving Michigan forward," said Lahti. "It is essential that we continue to fund the critical functions of state government in order to make Michigan a state where people want to live, work, or run a business. Along with Governor Granholm and my colleagues in the legislature, I am ready to get to work as a member of the Appropriations Committee in sorting through the challenges lying ahead in the budget process."
Rep. Lahti applauded Governor Granholm's plan to leave no worker behind by investing in our workforce to make Michigan a magnet for cutting-edge technologies and good-paying, family sustaining jobs while promoting and working with established businesses and resources in order to protect the jobs we already have. Lahti noted alternative energy as a field with great potential and room for growth. "One area of development in which Michigan has the capacity to take the lead is in the area of alternative energy," said Lahti. "Our farmlands are ideal for producing the corn and soybeans needed to make renewable fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel. Our U.P. forest land and forest products industry also provide the logging waste and wood by-products that can be used as an alternative fuel."
Lahti also said that education issues are key to turning Michigan's economy around. "We must give our children the ability to realize their potential by improving early childhood development programs and providing the foundation and tools they need to be active learners from day one," commented Lahti. "Every student who attends class, graduates high school, and wants to go to college or to a trade school should have that opportunity."
Gov. Jennifer Granholm delivered her fifth State of the State address last night to a joint convention of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate.