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In a couple of weeks Governor Jennifer Granholm will give her “State of the State” address. What will she say? Probably the same thing she has said before…  

Last year she said; “So, tonight, I will share with you my plan to reach that goal, a plan to grow jobs today and jobs tomorrow.  This is a plan that will put people to work now making Michigan a better place to live and do business. It’s a plan that will make Michigan a world center of research and home to the high-wage industries and jobs which that research will generate. And, it’s a plan that will make sure the people of Michigan both children in school and adults in the work force -- have the skills they need to take those jobs and build strong families and live great lives here in Michigan. “

That was a year ago; a year ago that she announced [the] plan. And yet for the last couple of months we’ve been listening to her say that for the whole of 2005 she has been working on a plan; a plan that sounds suspiciously like what she said she already had for last year. Why would she be doing this; because there was no plan? Because the plan didn’t work?

She’s also been telling us, for the last few months of 2005, that it’s (economy) going to come together towards the end of next year- just after the 2006 elections, of course!

Interestingly, economists are predicting a slow start for 2006 nationally, picking up at the end of the year… But then, economists predicted a national boost in the economy for 2005; they missed that prediction by one state! 

Let’s look at more of her quotes from last year;

“I’m not interested at looking in the rearview mirror except to learn” 

“My focus on jobs is not new. Last year (2003), at this podium, I described for you seven roads we had to follow to make Michigan an economic powerhouse in the 21st century” 

“To create that business climate and that quality of life, I said we would undertake 27 specific initiatives to grow our economy. As of tonight, we have checked off 24” 

“We were designated as top in the nation by the Center for Digital Government as the most tech-friendly state government” 

“But, people need jobs today, as well. They can’t wait either. So, tonight, I am announcing a Jobs Today Initiative that will create 36,000 jobs” 

“We have been listed as one of the nation’s top five technology hot spots.  Job providers are saying yes to Michigan.  Today, in Michigan, we’ve developed a clear roadmap, and now we’re ready to put the pedal to the metal”

This last quote sums up last years speech, last years economy, and the Governor’s accomplishments as well; she did not put the “pedal to the metal”- she missed and hit the brakes!