Crain's Detroit Business - Mackinac Section - June 7, 2010 - (Page 7)

June 7, 2010 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page M7 2010 Mackinac Policy Conference A time for action Ideas on fixing state range from tax breaks to sacrifice to right-to-work or union wages alone, and that attention should be on what labor can do, working MACKINAC ISLAND — Make with employers and the state, “to Detroit a tax-free zone for job-creat- move forward in the future.” ing employers and sell state assets. He said the “aerotropolis” ecoReward elected officials who nomic development concept for take a tough stand or make contro- land around the Detroit Metropoliversial votes. tan Airport is an example where laFix Michigan’s budget problems bor unions were brought in and through shared sacrifice. there were discussions as to what Make Michigan’s culture more could be offered, like certain guarentrepreneurial to advance ideas, antees on work rules and costs. and in turn advance the state. Gaffney also said that MichiThose were some of the ideas of- gan’s budget problems can’t be fered at the Detroit Regional Cham- fixed by only pursuing cost-cutting ber’s Mackinac Policy Conference from state and city employees and opening session exploring what’s teachers, such as the school emwrong with Michigan and how to ployee pension reforms signed fix it. into law in May. Gaffney said othWalbridge Aldinger Co. Chairman er constituencies need to give as and CEO John Rakolta Jr. set the well, such as physicians who optable: “We are ineffectual in our at- pose a proposed tax on their gross tempts to right revenue, and opthis sinking ship. ponents to raisWho is at fault? ing Michigan’s It’s you beer tax. and me.” David Egner, He citpresident and ed no CEO of the Hudshortage son-Webber Founof evidation and execudence: tive director of Lowered the New Economy per-capiInitiative for ta inSoutheast Michicome; gan, said Michichronic structural John Rakolta Jr., gan’s future rebudget deficits; Walbridge Aldinger quires the state Michigan governto “behave as a mental instituculture more entions that “are very bloated and trepreneurially.” very top-heavy;” cities in receiverPanelists also discussed what ship; poor state image; and lack of plans or proposals are right for cohesion. Michigan. Sandy Baruah, president “It comes down to what I call the and CEO of the Detroit chamber, balkanization of Michigan,” said the discussion needs to be not Rakolta said. about who owns or advocates a He said Michigan can move be- plan, but getting a plan that moves. yond paralysis through ways that The chamber has endorsed the include the November elections broad outlines of Business Leaders’ that can sweep in change, a Busi- plan to improve Michigan’s econoness Leaders for Michigan turn- my and reform government. around plan that he said presents a Joseph Angileri, managing partstarting place, and structural ner of the Michigan practice at Dechange and reforms. (See story, loitte L.L.P., said Deloitte reviewed Page M11.) a host of plans, websites and white Examples include a searchable papers and found commonality in online database for government the priorities of government respending, government consolida- form, attracting and retaining taltions, selling state assets like the ent, and economic development. lottery and state-owned land, cutBut while “at a high level, there ting state spending, and entering is a lot of consensus,” the specifics into a new type of dialogue and com- of approaching those priorities difpromise on the issue of making fered among groups, he said. Michigan a “right-to-work” state. Doug Rothwell, president and Mark Gaffney, president of the CEO of Business Leaders for MichiMichigan AFL-CIO, said 20 percent gan, said businesspeople “need to of Michigan’s labor force is in have more conversations” like the unions and enacting right-to-work session’s discussion, talking about laws would decrease that percent- the state’s future at groups to which age to 16 percent, but Michigan they belong. “would still remain one of the most He said politicians “want to have a sense that they are voting for what unionized states in the nation.” Right-to-work laws prohibit re- their electorate want” and that busiquiring union membership or pay- ness needs to guard against sending ment of union dues as a condition mixed messages and needs to reward and express support when of employment. Gaffney said addressing busi- politicians make tough decisions. Amy Lane: (517) 371-5355, ness’s concerns with Michigan’s labor climate does not come down alane@crain.com CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT Brittany Schultz, ’01 BY AMY LANE Dawn Perry, ’08 Every lawyer must pass the bar. Ours go on to raise it. Wayne Law had the most graduates on the 2009 Michigan Super Lawyers list Michigan Super Lawyers and ranks 37th nationwide in the 2010 Super Lawyers Law School Ratings. Super Lawyers *Source 2009 Michigan Super Lawyers magazine and 2010 U.S. Super maga*Source 2009 Michigan Super LawyersLawyers listing.® zine and 2010 U.S. Super Lawyers listing.® Wayne Law. “ We are in ineffectual our attempts to right this sinking ship. ” http://law.wayne.edu http://law.wayne.edu http://www.plunkettcooney.com http://www.plunkettcooney.com/results

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crain's Detroit Business - Mackinac Section - June 7, 2010

Crain's Detroit Business - Mackinac Section - June 7, 2010
In this Issue
Economic Makeover
Lesson Plan for Education Reform
Teaming Up for Action
Time for a Cultural Revolution
Defense Mechanism
Slowing the State's Brain Drain
Intern, Employers of the Year

Crain's Detroit Business - Mackinac Section - June 7, 2010