Three leading CEOs told the Detroit Economic Club Monday that Michigan needs a top-to-bottom overhaul if it hopes to rank as a top 10 state economically.
"To this day, the state is still not being realistic," Tony Earley Jr., chairman and CEO of DTE Energy, told the audience at Cobo Center. John Rakolta Jr., chairman and CEO of the Walbridge construction firm, agreed.
"All of the solutions are right there," Rakolta said. "We just don't have the willpower."
Earley, Rakolta and David Brandon, chairman and CEO of Domino's Pizza Inc., were speaking on behalf of the Michigan Turnaround Plan, a set of proposals drafted this year by Business Leaders for Michigan, the corporate leadership group formerly known as Detroit Renaissance.
The plan offers detailed suggestions for eliminating state budget deficits and fostering a more competitive environment for business in the state. The proposals cover a range of concerns, from lowering state business taxes to creating rapid transit in urban corridors.
Among other issues, the plan calls for greater investment in education but reining in benefits for teachers.
Noting the controversial nature of many of the changes, Brandon told the audience, "There's something in here that will make everyone mad." But he added, "You have to build a case for change."
Much of the program the CEOs promoted envisions changes in state government in Lansing, from eliminating the surcharge on the Michigan Business Tax to switching to a 2-year state budget plan instead of the current 1-year. And eliminating term limits so that legislators can gain more in-depth knowledge is high on the list of at least some reformers.
2 comments:
Really useful blog.Good work keeping this updated! Secured personal loans Thanks a lot!
Great read, Secured personal loans , certainly offer much more flexibility in the long run.
Post a Comment