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For Immediate Release
Monday, Feb. 5, 2007
Contact: Michael D. Jahr
Director of Communications
989-631-0900
MIDLAND — The Mackinac Center for Public Policy on Tuesday evening will continue its practice of tallying and categorizing new initiatives offered by Michigan governors in their annual State of the State addresses. Center analysts will compare the total number of proposed government expansions and limitations in this year’s address to gubernatorial speeches dating to 1969.
"Our analysis provides a real-time ‘box score’ of proposed government expansions versus contractions," said Michael D. LaFaive, director of the Mackinac Center’s Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative. "This analysis allows for historical comparisons. For example, Gov. Granholm holds the four-year record for expansions at 62, while Gov. Milliken holds the record for the fewest at 18."
The 2007 "scorecard" will be posted on the Center’s Web site within one hour of the completion of Gov. Granholm’s speech Tuesday night. The Center’s budget, education, technology and environmental analysts will also be available for comment.
Below is a snapshot of State of the State speeches going back to 1969:
|
Gov. Milliken, 1969-1982 |
Avg. |
High |
Low |
|
|
|
Proposed expansions |
5.6 |
12 (’71, 80) |
0 (’74) |
|
|
Proposed limitations |
2.9 |
8 (’73) |
0 (’70, ’79, ’82) |
|
|
||||
|
Gov. Blanchard, 1983-1990 |
Avg. |
High |
Low |
|
|
|
Proposed expansions |
8.6 |
19 (’89, '90) |
1 (’85) |
|
|
Proposed limitations |
2.1 |
7 (’84) |
0 (’87, ’88) |
|
|
||||
|
Gov. Engler, 1991-2002 |
Avg. |
High |
Low |
|
|
|
Proposed expansions |
8.4 |
18 (’00) |
3 (’91) |
|
|
Proposed limitations |
4.3 |
11 (’95) |
1 (’02, ’97, ’03) |
|
|
||||
|
Gov. Granholm, 2003-2006 |
Avg. |
High |
Low |
|
|
|
Proposed expansions |
15.5 |
22 (’04) |
7 (’05) |
|
|
Proposed limitations |
2.5 |
6 (’03) |
1 (’05, ’06) |
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The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
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