John Engler in State of Michigan Archives
On Budget & Economy:
Michigan lagged in 1990s; now restored & renewed
Throughout the ‘90s, after a decade in which Michigan lagged the nation, our goal was to “restore and renew our great state.” We did just that.- Record cuts in property taxes were combined with record increases in school funding-full funding for
every child.
- More than 58,000 children are learning in 183 charter public schools, while 26,000 are benefiting from schools of choice.
- Welfare caseloads are at the lowest levels since the 1960s-down more than 70%.
- With the creation of nearly
900,000 new jobs, unemployment went down from 9.3% in 1991 to 3.4% in 2000, the lowest unemployment rate in Michigan history!
- We are the number one state for new factories, expansion projects and capital investment.
- And Michigan gained nearly
650,000 new residents, the fastest growth since the 1960s and an increase almost 20 times the growth in the previous decade.
- Together, we turned Michigan’s lights back on. You might say we went from watching taillights to welcoming headlights.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Education:
Expand public school choice; lift cap on charters
Support for public schools, including charter schools, remains strong. It would be a tragedy if an artificial cap blocked Michigan from sharing in the new $3 billion Charter School Homestead Plan proposed by the President. So tonight, I renew my
call to lift the cap. The cap must go.It is time to allow teachers’ unions to operate charter schools. The unions that represent classroom teachers are uniquely qualified to run schools. Let’s tear down the barriers and expand public school choices.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Environment:
More investment of Natural Resources Trust Fund
Conserving Michigan’s land resources has also been a focus. In fact, during the past decade, more than 46,000 acres of land were acquired by the state and local governments for public use. Much of that land was paid for by the Natural Resources Trust
Fund (NRTF). We will do even better if our State Treasurer is allowed the investment options for the NRTF approved for other state funds. I support this constitutional amendment to increase the return on investment and allow for additional conservation.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Health Care:
No assisted suicide; but End of Life Care & more pain relief
Michigan voters wisely rejected assisted suicide, but every Michigan family still faces the difficult realities of death and dying. I established the Commission on End of Life Care to help families receive compassionate care
for their loved ones confronting death. Today, modern medicine can relieve even the most severe physical pain. Tonight, I propose that we increase access to effective pain management throughout Michigan.
I will work with this legislature to remove barriers to pain relief so that the end of life can be dignified, and the physical and emotional suffering can be eased.
I also urge all Michigan citizens to engage in a caring conversation with their family and loved ones concerning their wants and wishes for end of life care. Each and every one of us deserve to have our wishes known and honored.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Principles & Values:
The “Next Michigan”: attitude for the future
Everyone is seeking “the new, new thing.” The quest is on. The New Economy is transforming the old, and a new Michigan is emerging - the Next Michigan. The Next Michigan is more than a place. It’s an attitude - smart and civil, confident yet
compassionate, mindful of tradition yet constantly changing. The agenda I outline tonight remains true to our principles, builds on our successes and is full of changes vital for the transformation to the Next Michigan. - The Next Michigan
educates her children for the challenges ahead.
- The Next Michigan protects her unique natural treasures.
- The Next Michigan reforms and limits government.
- The Next Michigan harnesses technology to serve people and solve problems.
- The Next Michigan changes the world with new products and new ideas.
My friends, it is not the Michigan way to look for someone else to follow or to wait for someone else to be bold. The Michigan way is to lead.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Tax Reform:
Exempt new high-tech sectors from state business tax
Our goal is to see Michigan in the forefront of basic research for life-saving and life-improving technologies and treatments. Last year, we took an important step into the Next Michigan with a $1 billion commitment to research.
Your work has attracted attention across the nation. We want to strengthen further our foothold in these emerging fields - life sciences, micro-systems and information technology.
With the proper tax and regulatory climate and the right education and legal strategies, investment and job creation potential in these sectors is enormous.
So I propose a Next Michigan action plan to encourage these new companies to make our state their home. Let’s put out the welcome mat and exempt them from Michigan’s state business tax.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Tax Reform:
Has cut and will continue to cut personal & business tax
In Michigan, reductions in personal income taxes and business taxes will take place as scheduled. And unemployment taxes are being cut again. Make no mistake, we begin this decade as we ended the 1990s, by cutting taxes.
When I took office, Michigan’s personal income tax rate was 4.6 percent, while the Single Business Tax was 2.35 percent. By the time we gather next January, multi-year tax cuts approved in 1998 and 1999 will have dropped Michigan’s
flat rate income tax to 4.1 percent and our business tax to 1.9 percent, saving families and job providers an additional $350 million.
By 2004, the personal income tax rate will be down to 3.9 percent, the lowest rate since 1971. In addition, the SBT continues its phased reduction at the rate of 0.1 percent per year.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Tax Reform:
Strengthen Taxpayer Bill of Rights
Just as taxpayers have a right to keep more of their money, they have a right to be treated fairly. Tonight, I urge you to strengthen our Taxpayer Bill of Rights by assuring homestead exemptions are received by those entitled to them,
by requiring Boards of Review to provide residential property taxpayers with written explanations of decisions, and by easing electronic filing requirements.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
On Technology:
Establish “Cybercourt” to resolve disputes on-line & quickly
For inventors, entrepreneurs, small tech and IT firms, the protection of intellectual property rights is a critical concern. We need a connected court that can keep up. I propose that Michigan boldly go where no state has gone before
by creating the Cybercourt. In the Next Michigan, the Cybercourt will: - feature e-filings, web-based conferencing and virtual courtrooms;
- significantly reduce travel time and cost;
- recognize that prompt dispute resolution
means the difference between success and failure for a new venture; and,
- use mediators and judges who have the skills and knowledge to render prompt, competent decisions.
Done correctly, America’s first Cybercourt will make the Next Michigan
uniquely attractive to the next generation of technology-driven companies. The Next Michigan has the potential to be to technology companies what Delaware has been to public corporations.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021