Snyder Policies Cause Michigan Residents to Lose Hope

Economists say decline in unemployment due mostly to people giving up

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) pointed to testimony given at the state's Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference today as further evidence that Governor Snyder's policies are failing to turn Michigan's economy around. University of Michigan economist George Fulton told the conference that Michigan's decreasing unemployment numbers were mostly due to people giving up on looking for work. The testimony directly conflicts with the Governor's rhetoric that his corporate tax cuts are creating jobs.

“When Governor Snyder took office, President Obama's economic plan was helping to turn Michigan around. Rather than build off the plan, the Governor decided to slash funding for our schools and tax seniors to pay for a tax break for his CEO buddies,” said Senator Whitmer. “The simple truth is Governor Snyder's economic policies have failed to create jobs and have blunted any positive momentum the state had. The only thing he can take credit for is Michigan citizens losing hope.”

Whitmer went on to highlight the Senate Democrats' MI 2020 Plan, which would help college students cover the cost of tuition at a public university or community college. The plan would give each student roughly $9,500 a year to pay for college and would be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. The idea has received high praise from the media as well as economists who see creating an educated workforce as critical to growing the economy and attracting new business.

“The Senate Democrats have offered an alternative plan, one that the experts say will have a positive effect,” added Whitmer. “I would welcome Governor Snyder's support of our plan. We could work together not only to create jobs, but restore hope to those that have given up the idea that Michigan still has something worth fighting for.”