The Michigan economy and the number of residents with a college degree will each gain some needed attention through the formation of a council on Tuesday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, state officials said.
Her signature approves the creation of the 73-member Council for Labor & Economic Growth, which will seek to improve Michigan's economic outlook in the 21st century. It replaces the existing Workforce Investment Board.
The council will be responsible for helping achieve Granholm's goal of doubling the number of students who obtain college degrees during the next 10 years, as well as helping the Michigan workforce transition the manufacturing-heavy state to more high-tech jobs.
"It's clear that education is an integral part of workforce and economic development," said Marcia Black-Watson, workforce program specialist at the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.
"What we've attempted to do in setting up this board is address the various issues that are involved, which includes education, workforce and economic development."
The council was formed in compliance with federal mandate under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which requires that each state establish a board of advisers comprised of leaders from business, universities, community-based organizations, the K-12 educational community and government.
Council members will work closely with the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Board of Directors. They will also implement recommendations made by the Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth.
Created in June by Granholm, the Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth hopes to attract high-tech jobs to Michigan by doubling the number of students with college degrees. Michigan ranks 34th in the nation for percentage of adults that have a bachelor's degree or higher, with 22 percent. The national average is 26 percent.
The 40-member commission is chaired by Lt. Gov. John Cherry and includes members such as MSU President-designate Lou Anna Simon and University of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman.
The commission had its last of six public meetings Oct. 18 at Wayne State University, and will present its findings to the governor on Jan. 1, 2005.
But some legislators argue the administration has ignored the sluggish economic recovery and growth, and say leadership on the governor's part is long overdue.
"The overall job climate in this state hasn't improved under this governor, and she's failed to address the job situation in the state for the past two years," said state Sen. Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt.
Even when dealing with issues such as this year's budget, which was finally passed after months of partisan battles, the governor failed to show leadership and deal with the situation, Cropsey said.
"A lot of it was done by Band-Aids and accounting gimmicks," he said.
