LANSING – State Representatives Ted Hammon (D-Burton), Richard Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township), Brenda Clack (D-Flint) and Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township) today praised Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's bold plan to make Michigan a center for 21st century jobs by investing in cutting-edge industries such as alternative energies, ensuring workers hit by outsourcing get retrained in high-demand fields, and strengthening education.
"I applaud Governor Granholm for bringing bold ideas to the table so we can tackle the significant challenges facing our state," Hammon said. "Michigan will become a magnet for 21st century jobs if we can offer employers a highly skilled workforce. The time to act is now."
During her State of the State address, Granholm proposed the "No Worker Left Behind" program, which will give workers whose jobs have been outsourced to other states and countries two years of free training or community college in high-demand fields.
"Too many of our workers' jobs have been outsourced to other states and countries, leaving our working families to struggle," Hammel said. "Workers built this state, and we must stand by them in tough times. The Governor's proposal will prepare our workers to compete for good-paying, 21st century jobs."
Granholm also proposed creating "Promise Zones" throughout the state, which will help more Michigan high school graduates afford the advanced education they'll need to be prepared for 21st century jobs.
"The rising cost of higher education too often keeps some of our hardest-working students from being able to attend college, and that's wrong," said Clack, who taught in Flint schools for 32 years. "The Governor's proposal to create Promise Zones will help many of our students who dream of going to college realize that dream. Creating a skilled workforce starts with ensuring that every young person has access to a high-quality education."
"The time to take action is long overdue," Gonzales said. "It is critical to act with urgency to create jobs and get Michigan's economy back on track. I will work hard with Governor Granholm and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build a stronger Michigan."