Michigan

In its short history, this blog has probably discussed the state tax break and incentive problems of Michigan more so than any other state. It was with much enthusiasm, then, that I read an article on the economic proposals of the candidates for the state's 21st District state senate seat. From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

[Incumbent Republican Senator Ron] Jelinek said farmers should be given tax breaks to entice them to invest in crops that could be used for alternative fuels, such as corn and soybeans. Tax breaks also should be provided to those who invest in the manufacturing facilities for alternative fuels, such as biodiesel plants.

Jelinek's opponent, Valerie Janowski, a Democrat from Dowagiac, agrees that alternative fuels should be a priority for the state Senate but also sees the state's environment as something that should be better preserved for future generations.

The marketing of the state as a tourist destination should be strengthened, Janowski said, enticing people to come to Michigan to explore and enjoy the many natural attractions, as well as historic and cultural draws, which are present here. . .

Both candidates are concerned about the state's economy and vowed to come up with creative ways to bolster job creation and revive the sluggish economy.

The economy tops his list of Jelinek's priorities, with the senator arguing that the state should invest in the industries of the future. But that doesn't mean the state has to give up on its manufacturing past, he said, it just has to look at the industry in a different way.

``The state is equipped with a good manufacturing labor force,'' he said. ``But we need to focus on manufacturing nonautomotive goods and high-tech products.''

Jelinek proposes having state officials ``travel nationwide'' to entice industries -- both high-tech and nonhigh-tech -- to locate to Michigan.

Janowski, who has been a high school teacher, businesswoman, grant writer and tractor-trailer driver, agrees that the state has a talented work force and that more needs to be done to get the economy back on track.

With the automotive industry in decline, she said, more effort needs to be put into looking at alternative products to manufacture, such as creating the infrastructure needed to produce alternative fuels.

``We need to transform our economy from what we have been to what we need to be,'' she said.

Sadley, the article contains no mention of the idea of lowering taxes across the board.