“With a worst-in-the-nation 7.3 unemployment rate and a manufacturing economy in historic transition, Michigan desperately needs an agenda for the future. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's State of the State speech provided just that. The particulars will need vigorous debate and refinement. But Ms. Granholm deserves high marks for addressing hard realities with a sweeping vision of a state that's looking forward, not living off memories of the past.” – Grand Rapids Press, February 10, 2005

“Gov. Jennifer Granholm is offering an innovative plan to invest up to $2 billion to bolster the state's research and development capacity over the next decade.” – Detroit News, February 10, 2005

“Granholm revealed a plan to ‘make Michigan a world center of research and home to the high-wage industries and jobs which that research will generate.’ To do that, she proposes selling $200 million in bonds each year for the next 10 years. The money would be used to bolster research at state universities and provide grants to upgrade laboratories and attract more research and development facilities to the state, creating 72,000 new, high-paying jobs . . . .It's a great idea, shifting Michigan from the brawn of manufacturing jobs to the brains associated with research. – Greenville Daily News, February 10, 2005

“(Governor Granholm’s State of the State agenda), of course, is a long-term solution to what ails Michigan. It is aimed at the state's structural deficit, which is linked to loss of manufacturing jobs, chiefly those in the auto industry. But it is no pie-in-the-sky solution. For, as Granholm pointed out, Michigan already has a good foundation for research -- its universities, the so-called Life Sciences Corridor and the fact that this is the center of automotive research. The bond proposal first must be approved by the Republican-dominated Legislature, and then by a vote of the people. While bonds would not increase taxes, they would increase the state's debt, and Republicans' initial reaction was negative. We would caution them not to forfeit a promising plan for the sake of politics.” – Jackson Citizen-Patriot, February 9, 2005

“(The Governor’s) plan to speed the spending of some $800 million earmarked for infrastructure repair makes good sense. It is money the state was planning to spend anyway, and the sooner it helps create new jobs the better.” – Traverse City Record-Eagle, February 10, 2005

“Incremental changes are not what the state needs to do right now. You need a bold jump, and this might be exactly what we need. It's a huge gamble ... but it's a gamble that could have a huge payoff. This gives us a shot at changing things. And if we don't do anything, I fear for the state.” -- Donald Grimes, senior research associate at the University of Michigan's Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations

“Using bonding authority to fix roads is a win-win for the region and the state. The quality and condition of Michigan's transportation system affects our ability to attract and retain companies in the region.” – Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Richard E. Blouse Jr.

“Investing in the future of the state should be a high priority. There is no better way than investing in nano-technology and adult stem-cell research. Investing in fuel-cell technology would also be a positive move. We have no other choice but to think about the future. We will deal with the loss of manufacturing as best we can in the short term. This is a solution for the long term.” -- Fawwaz Ulaby, University of Michigan vice president for research

“The governor is being very aggressive in transforming the business model in Michigan, and the hydrogen fuel initiative makes sense. This is a creative, innovative approach to addressing emerging technologies as a way to focus Michigan's future on important trends.” -- David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor

“Speeding up funding will make it easier for communities to finance new and replace their aging sewer systems, and it will allow Michigan to start road projects critical to creating and maintaining a strong economy.” -- Michael Nystrom, vice president at the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association.

“This (21st Century Jobs Initiative) is a bold and necessary step if Michigan is going to stay competitive.” -- K. Joel Berry, head of Kettering University’s mechanical engineering program.

“It will result in more jobs in the near future ... You will find a lot of support from colleges and universities (that will be able to proceed with delayed infrastructure projects).” -- Tom Boensch, secretary-treasurer of the Michigan State Building and Construction Trades Council

“The (new Merit Scholarship) proposal has merit. With education costs increasing, any increase in financial support for students is worthwhile.” – Delta College President Peter D. Boyse

“We applaud the idea of colleges and universities offering ‘credit amnesty’ to those who left college long ago without completing their degrees. It would cost taxpayers nothing and encourage people to return to college to get their diplomas. And we approve of asking school districts to share services to save money, and compelling some districts to consolidate.” – Kalamazoo Gazette, February 9, 2005

“The day of the high-wage worker who can't do simple mathematical computations is over. She's clearly making a commitment to investing in the new technologies, which is totally compatible with our environmental concerns.” -- Lana Pollack, a former state senator who now directs the Michigan Environmental Council

“(The new Merit Scholarship) is a very promising proposal. It backs an expectation that students must pursue some type of postsecondary education with a promise: Complete two years and scholarships are available.” -- Michael Boulus, executive director of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan

“Taken in total, it's going to be the most aggressive program in the country. It far exceeds anything else.” – Department of Labor and Economic Growth Director David Hollister