Dear Colleagues:

Last night, I had the privilege of delivering Michigan's State of the State address. In "Michigan: Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow," I presented my comprehensive action plan to fuel Michigan's 21st century economy and put tens of thousands of people to work this year and beyond.

The plan outlines a multi-pronged strategy to create jobs immediately and grow Michigan's future economy by 1) creating 36,000 jobs over three years while making Michigan a better place to live and do business by accelerating $800 million in critical infrastructure projects - repair roads and bridges, modernize schools, clean up industrial sites, etc.; 2) creating 72,000 high-wage jobs by investing $2 billion to establish Michigan as a global center of research in new technology and emerging industries; and 3) giving children in school and adults in the workforce the higher education and skills they need to fill both jobs of the future and vacancies that exist in Michigan today. As we all know, the very foundation of our quality of life in Michigan is the opportunity to have a good-paying job.

One part of the message I conveyed is that none of our kids can think that high school will be enough for 21st century jobs. I hope you'll help get that message out. As a state, we have to change our old ways of thinking about college and teach all of our kids that high school is not enough. Thus, under our new Merit scholarships, students will be ensured at least $4,000 after they complete two years of schooling beyond high school.

I also spoke very specifically about the work that you do and the sacrifices you are making to provide the vital and necessary services upon which the citizens of Michigan depend. In particular, I asked the Legislature and our citizens to join me in thanking you for your hard work and for your willingness to accept the sacrifices of tight budgets, including banked leave time.

I also reminded the Legislature that in the past two years, we have eliminated $3 billion in deficits and have saved millions of dollars by limiting no-bid contracts. As you know, we all have tightened our belts, and I cannot thank you often enough for your cost-saving efforts.

I am extremely proud of you and the work that you do, and grateful for the chance to thank you publicly in this annual speech. You have my sincere thanks and my deepest gratitude as we continue to make Michigan a great place to do great work.

Sincerely,
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor

P.S. To read the 2005 State of the State address in its entirety, visit www.michigan.gov/gov