Happy New Year! On Tuesday, President Barack Obama delivers his final State of the Union address. One week later, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will give his annual Stare of the State speech. Several other local politicians will make their annual remarks. We hope their speeches are bold and visionary, yet sensible & civil!
We’ve made a lot of progress in recent years. After some very difficult financial challenges, our overall economy is relatively healthy. The unemployment rate is down considerably from the nearly 15-percent in 2009. The auto industry is doing well. Detroit is a year out of bankruptcy. Wayne County appears to be making significant progress. Our state finally has a controversial but long-awaited road funding bill. And, from Grand Rapids to Detroit, our urban areas are re-inventing and rebuilding themselves every day. As a nation, as a state and as region, there’s much to be proud of.
But there are still big challenges. For too many students, getting a quality education is a major barrier to success. Senseless gun violence is creating havoc on too many neighborhoods and public places. America’s melting pot of diversity has become a hot-button issue in this year’s presidential campaign. And the threat of terrorism, at home and abroad, is testing public safety on countless fronts.
Still, as we begin 2016, it is crucial that our elected officials set a strong bi-partisan tone of leadership. The business community needs a friendly environment where they can maximize their development projects before the next economic downturn. Government needs to be transparent and communities need smartly managed quality of life programs that will help the average citizen. So, elected officials, when you step up to the podium this year, be BOLD and VISIONARY!
I’m Mike Murri, Vice President & General Manager
Broadcast: January 7 - 10, 2016
