LANSING – House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township) today praised Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm for unveiling a bold plan to make Michigan a magnet for 21st century jobs by strengthening education and job retraining.
"Democrats in the House and the Governor are committed to tackling Michigan's challenges head on," Dillon said. "Tonight, the Governor shared some bold ideas for how we can act today for a stronger tomorrow. The House is ready act quickly to move Michigan in a positive new direction."
Speaker Dillon also lauded the Governor's commitment toward making a series of tough cuts in government spending.
"These are very tough economic times, and the effects resonate in the lives of all Michigan residents," Dillon said. "Our state government must do its fair share to shoulder the burden and let the people know that we'll stand with them to face this crisis together."
In her State of the State address, Granholm proposed the "No Worker Left Behind" program, which will provide displaced workers two years of training or community college in high-demand fields. Granholm also proposed creating "Promise Zones" throughout the state, which will help more Michigan high school graduates afford the advanced education they'll need to compete for the jobs of the future. Last month, Dillon and House Democrats kicked off the new legislative session by announcing their top priorities, which include strengthening education to build a highly trained 21st century workforce.
"A highly skilled, well-educated workforce is a magnet for jobs," Dillon said. "To compete in today's global economy, we must prepare our citizens to compete for good-paying jobs. We're going to invest in our most precious natural resource – our people – to move our state forward."
House Democrats' top priorities also include lowering the cost of health care and increasing consumer protections.