LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The plan put forth by the Growing Michigan Together Council last week has received pushback from numerous legislators citing the price tag. 

The council, which was formed last summer by Governor Gretchen Whitmer set out with the objective to create a diagnosis of the state’s declining population, and proposals for how to remedy the ongoing exodus—made evident by the state’s 49th out of 50 ranking for population growth. 

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“Michigan’s greatest strength is its people— and we are losing them,” the report said. “Today Michigan is 49th out of 50 in terms of population growth. We’re failing to prepare our people for the jobs of the future and failing to ensure Michigan is the place current and future Michiganders want to call home.”  

In a letter addressed to the Governor, council chairs Shirley Stancato and former Ambassador John Rakolta, Jr. emphasized the challenges facing the state. 

“We have reached two milestones on the road to recovery—an in-depth analysis of the challenges we face and a set of actionable recommendations to regain our competitiveness,” the letter said. “A third milestone still lies ahead of us—ensuring momentum through constructive debate and shared commitment— which will be a critical determinant of success. The milestones and recommendations should be seen as an intertwined system to drive healthy growth—all needed to achieve long-term impact.”

However, the cost of the recommendations did not go over well with some members of the legislature, including Representative Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River). 

“These recommendations are going to leave Yoopers seriously considering closing the bridge and exploring statehood,” said Rep. Prestin about the report. “Grocery prices are high; electric bills are high; Democrats are actively fighting to raise income taxes; and now the governor is using these proposals to rationalize tax hikes and force regular people to foot the bill for unnecessary new programs. If the governor was serious about encouraging people to move here, she’d lower taxes so people can afford their bills and get government out of the way so people can create successful businesses.”

He also criticized the use of taxpayer dollars for the council’s time during the past several months. 

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“It has been a pattern for the governor to use artificial platforms of collaboration to impose her agenda. We saw this with the UP Energy Task Force and at least 8 other task forces or councils she has put together. Expensive new programs, without any sight of a funding source, isn’t a strategy for bringing people to Michigan.”

Instead, he proposed some of his own recommendations for combating the population decline. 

“We know what people want when they consider moving anywhere,” Rep. Prestin said. “They want a good paying job, to buy a house, and to raise their family in a good environment. These recommendations will do the opposite. They’ll drive businesses out of Michigan, raise housing costs, and continue a wasteful spending spree that hasn’t made any difference for families. This isn’t a strategy. This isn’t a plan. This report is simply an excuse to hike taxes and implement programs to cover up five years of failed leadership.”

Part of the council’s report found that in 1980, half of the top ten U.S. communities with the highest average earnings were in Michigan—now there are no Michigan cities in the top ten. 

To view the full report click here.