For Immediate Release
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009
Contact: Jack McHugh
Senior Legislative Analyst

517-749-1129
or
989-631-0900

MIDLAND — The Mackinac Center for Public Policy this morning released "101 Recommendations to Revitalize Michigan," a pamphlet summarizing work authored by Center analysts. The 10-page booklet, which was presented to legislators at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, consists primarily of brief policy prescriptions, with links to various Mackinac Center studies and commentaries on the Web.

"Although many of the 101 recommendations can and should be acted on quickly," said Mackinac Center Senior Legislative Analyst Jack McHugh, "this document is really about launching a conversation over the next two years about where Michigan goes from here."

McHugh, who compiled the list, divided the recommendations into eight categories: government operations and spending; taxes; environmental laws and regulations; other regulations; labor law reform; education reform; other state and municipal reforms and privatizations; and prosperity and freedom. The pamphlet explains that while Michigan is blessed with a wealth of the human and natural resources vital to building a thriving economy, counterproductive policies have made it difficult for Michigan businesses to compete and have reduced our state’s attractiveness to investors, entrepreneurs and workers.

"This is a how-to list for people serious about real change in Michigan," McHugh added. "When policies like these are adopted, recovery and growth occur much more quickly than people imagine."

The recommendations range from eliminating the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and ending the Michigan Business Tax surcharge to adopting a right-to-work law and prohibiting uncompensated regulatory takings of private property. The list of 101 recommendations is available at www.mackinac.org/10154.

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