LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In June, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the launch of a new council aimed at assessing population trends and working towards keeping more Michigan residents, and continues to make appointments to the commission making it more bipartisan. 

“The Growing Michigan Together Council’s appointees will bring a diverse range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “Led by four workgroups, the council will hold several meetings over the next few months, hearing from Michiganders firsthand. They will then collaborate and continue working towards presenting a comprehensive strategy to help anyone make it in Michigan. Together, we will grow our economy and population and write the next chapter in Michigan’s story. Let’s get it done.”

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It was recently announced that the council would be composed of four work groups including: PreK-12 Education; Higher Education; Infrastructure; as well as Jobs, Talent, People.  These appear to duplicate in part Michigan’s newest Department, MiLEAP, announced by Gov. Whitmer this week which also has subgroups focused on Pre-Kindergarten and  Higher Education. 

The latest appointees from the legislature include Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township), Representative Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), as well as Representative Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) who said she was honored to be selected for the position.

“As one of the only members on the council who is under forty, I look forward to providing a younger perspective and joining other members of the commission in our common goal to grow our state’s population, our economy, and improve the quality of life here in Michigan,” Wendzel said in a statement. “As a lifelong Michigander, I take great pride in our state.  When I graduated college, I had numerous friends leave Michigan for new and better career opportunities. I’m passionate about seeing people succeed here, and will be recommending common sense, pro-growth policies to bring people back to our state and create an environment attractive for families and job creators to make Michigan their home.”

The “Growing MIchigan Together Council” also features another Republican businessman, John Rakolta Jr., to serve as a co-chair and member of the council, who does not presently reside full time in Michigan, but rather Florida. 

The council member attempted to explain having had registration to vote in Florida and appearing to have active voting registration in Michigan via text conveying that his wife owns the homes in Florida, and they both have two homes in Michigan; however, regarding registration, he said, “Voting is a private matter.” 

Perhaps the most outspoken regarding the Commission is Representative Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia Township) who considers it a cover-up for the governor. 

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“[The Commission] is just another way for her not to take responsibility for her poor governance, and poor policies which led to the decline in our population,” Rep. Rigas said in an interview with Michigan News Source, “Such as increased regulation, higher taxes, and infringement on the second amendment has been a big issue.” 

She also added what she saw as the solution to bring more people to the state. 

“If we are going to expect people to come to Michigan to raise their families, to start their businesses, then we need to cut regulation, create a positive environment for jobs, for businesses to open ad flourish, and also to give our parents the confidence to put their children in our public schools, which as we know are lacking,” Representative Rigas said in the interview. 

According to the Governor’s office, the Council will present a report in December to the governor and the Legislature that includes: 

  • A specific population goal for 2050 based on comprehensive economic development strategies. 
  • Potential future workforce shortages and recommend targeted programs to ensure that Michigan’s workforce is prepared to meet the challenges of the future. 
  • Proposals on how we can meet the needs of a growing thriving population through long-term, sustainable transportation and water infrastructure solutions. 
  • Policy recommendations on how we can improve outcomes at every education level in Michigan, from preschool to postsecondary.