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Deconstructing the 2006 State of the State Address

Last night Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm delivered her fourth State of the State Address. Among the high points were calls for a "Michigan First Health Partnership" and a proposal to creat a statwide 401(k) plan. She also called upon lawmakers to increase funding for early childhood programs, cut auto insurance rates, raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85, provide heating assistance, enhance the Michigan Merit Award and eliminate restrictions on stem cell research in Michigan.

Granholm also said that alternative energy presents a huge opportunity and that she wants Michigan to be "the alternative-energy epicenter of America". From Crain's Detroit:
Michigan's focus on the development of the alternative-energy industry would get a boost, in part through a statewide partnership Granholm plans to form among all alternative-energy research and development institutions. The governor said she also wants to increase the demand in Michigan for renewable sources of energy.

Photo courtesy of Gary Shrewsbury. More can be found on the State of Michigan web site

Read Granholm vows to grow economy in the Lansing State Journal
Read State of State: Granholm pushes state-administered 401(k) for small biz, alternative energy and health care initiatives; GOP says make job climate the priority in Crain's Detroit Business
Read GOP accuses Granholm of rhetoric in the Detroit News
Read Granholm offers few solutions for state, DeVos says in the LSJ
Michigan Green Party Response
Michigan Government Television (click "video")
Full text of the 2006 Michigan State of the State Address