LANSING – State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) today hosted a roundtable discussion with Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and Ingham County residents on how to best rejuvenate Michigan's economy and create good-paying jobs for our residents.
Byrum and Granholm were joined by about 15 residents at Bestsellers Bookstore in Mason.
"It is my firm belief that many of the best ideas for Michigan come from outside of the Capitol," Byrum said. "My job as a State Representative is to bring those ideas to the House floor and make sure they are heard, and that is a job I take very seriously. Michigan is on the brink of a bright economic future, and by working together, we will create jobs now and make our state a leader in the 21st century economy."
Byrum's top goal is keeping and creating good-paying jobs for the hard-working residents of the 67th House District. Among the economic development plans she has sponsored or supported include:
- "Hire Michigan First," an aggressive job-creation plan that gives priority for economic development projects to companies that employ 100 percent Michigan workers.
- A plan that could bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to the Lansing area by proving for the formation, regulation and licensing of "captive" insurance companies.
- A package offering tax breaks, loans and other financial assistance to moviemakers if they make their movies here in Michigan.
"Our working men and women made this state great," Byrum said. "In these difficult financial times, we need to stand by them and listen to their input. Michigan has the best workers in the nation, and I was honored to hear their ideas on how we can drive our economy forward."