Dear Colleague:

This evening, I had the privilege of representing you as I delivered Michigan's State of the State address to the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Supreme Court and, of course, our fellow citizens. 

In case you did not get a chance to hear the speech, entitled "Our Determination, Our Destination: A 21st Century Economy," let me share the central message:  we must do everything in our power to generate good jobs for Michigan.  I talked about seven key ways that we will focus in the coming year on growing our state's economy.  Four of those efforts, like the use of venture capital funds and workforce development programs, will give new and existing businesses the tools they need to grow.  The final three underscore how the things we do in government play an essential role in creating a strong economy.  In particular, our efforts at education (starting at the cradle), health care, and the protection of our great environment are powerful forces in attracting jobs.

I also spoke very specifically about our work as state employees.
Rather than paraphrase, let me quote directly what I said:

"A year ago, I said we would not wait for our economic storm to blow over; instead, we would work in the rain.  The lingering impact of the recession on our budget made it feel, at times, more like a hurricane, but our excellent state employees put on rain gear and got to work.  It has not been easy.  You have had to do more with less."

Later in the speech, I reminded the Legislature:

"These are stressful times for employees doing work with nearly 8,000 fewer co-workers than just three years ago under tremendous pressure to be frugal and while accepting significant economic concessions to keep this state whole.  I ask you to share your thanks not only tonight but in the future, in the encouragement you offer them, and especially in the words you choose to talk about them to others.  They have earned our thanks and respect."

You have my thanks, and my request that we continue to prove that when we are committed to teamwork, excellence, inclusions and integrity, we can indeed move mountains.

I am extremely grateful for the chance to thank you in this annual speech, but it is no mere formality.  I am working hard to get out to your offices, to visit, to thank, and to celebrate work that goes above and beyond.  I speak positively about you (as do my executive team, cabinet directors, and my husband) whenever I speak to groups about why I feel good about Michigan.  And, as you will see in coming communications from both me and your department director, we're continuing to build on the good start we made last year in our vision and values work.  We learned a great deal and will be sharing and acting on that data to make Michigan the greatest place to do the greatest work.

Sincerely,
        
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor