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By Holly Wetzel
Experts from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy hit the road this summer to host a series of Summer Policy Forums across Michigan, discussing the theme “How to Get Michigan Growing Again.” These forums addressed a pressing concern: Michigan’s stagnant population, which remains lower than it was 20 years ago.
The Mackinac Center’s Michael LaFaive and Michael Van Beek were featured speakers at all four events, sharing their insights on Michigan’s economic challenges. They were joined by notable guest speakers Jonathan Williams, chief economist and executive vice president of policy at the American Legislative Exchange Council, addressed a luncheon in Sterling Heights and a happy hour in Wyandotte. In Traverse City and Battle Creek, Meg Tuszynski, assistant director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom, provided her perspective on what drives greater economic freedom across the country.
Throughout the forums, speakers emphasized that proven policy solutions can help Michigan grow. If Michigan’s lawmakers follow the lead of high-growth states such as Florida, Tennessee and Texas, the policies they enact will make Michigan a place that retains current residents and attracts new ones. The changes the speakers pointed out include cutting tax rates, making labor market regulations reasonable, and crafting budgets with sustainable levels of government spending.
Attendees left with a clear message: Michigan’s policies must be rethought before the state can thrive. While challenges remain, Michigan’s future can be bright with the right policy approaches.
