April 10, 2003
Reflecting today on her first 100 days in office, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said she believes this traditional milestone will be “first in a long line of anniversaries marked by new priorities and work accomplished.”
Granholm cited numerous highlights from her first 100 days, including the proposal of a “lean, but not mean” balanced 2004 state budget; the restoration of per-pupil K-12 funding and the introduction of a scholarship program to expand college opportunities to middle school children of limited-means; the introduction of a prescription drug bulk-buying plan; a sweep to pick up fugitive felons; the first meeting of a Land Use Leadership Council; and the creation of a diverse, accessible government.
“I am proud of what this administration has achieved in such a short time,” Granholm said. “We have been working since day one to protect families and educate our children, and we’ll continue to work every day to make government work better and cost less, and to accomplish things that matter to the people of Michigan.”
Granholm noted that the high point of her first 100 days came on March 6 when she presented a balanced budget for 2004 that cut more than $1 billion from state spending while protecting education, children, health care, and public safety. Granholm eliminated more than $200 million in administrative spending from the budget, restored the K-12 foundation grant for public school students, protected at-risk funding for the most vulnerable children, and returned Medicaid benefits to more than 40,000 Michigan citizens, all without raising general fund taxes.
“In only three months, we’ve demonstrated that fiscal responsibility and social responsibility can work hand in hand,” stressed Granholm. “We balanced the budget and worked toward our goal of building a stronger Michigan.”
Since taking office, Granholm introduced the nation’s first Multi-State Medicaid Pharmaceutical Pooling Program with Vermont, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
At Granholm’s direction, the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Corrections worked together to take more than 100 violent felons off Michigan’s streets in the first of regular, on-going fugitive felon sweeps.
On March 27, the Governor’s bi-partisan Land Use Leadership Council met for the first time. Granholm created the Council along with Republican and Democratic legislative leaders and charged the group with providing recommendations on minimizing the impact of current land use trends on Michigan’s environment and economy.
Granholm called the creation of a diverse, accessible government the “rock-solid foundation” of these first 100 days.
“It was critical that this administration reflect the true face of Michigan’s diverse population,” Granholm said. “I’m not interested in the labels others attach to people. I’m interested in making sure that the best people are getting the best work done for the people of Michigan.”
Granholm’s cabinet and leadership team draws from every corner of the state and reflects a broad spectrum of political, racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender diversity. The Governor has also opened a “walk-in” Constituent Relations office on the first floor of the executive office building and is meeting with constituents at regular constituent office hours.
“It is an overwhelming privilege to serve the people of this state,” said Granholm. “I look forward to another 1,360 days of getting things done for them.”
In addition to the extensive legislative agenda outlined by the changes proposed in her budget, in the coming months, Granholm will continue to work to implement her plans to improve early education in Michigan, to support schools striving to make better progress for students, to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and repair Medicaid, and to expand job development.
To view a complete list of Governor Granholm’s accomplishments in the last 100 days, please visit www.michigan.gov/gov.
