Michigan can again be a state with a thriving economy and abundant jobs if we reform government so it works with job providers rather than against them. There is no time to waste.

Bouchard

As governor, I will make one of the largest economic policy changes in decades. The majority of my focus will be on businesses already in Michigan or those Michigan folks looking to start one. This is because the top two creators of jobs are new business startups and businesses that expand. Therefore, we would refocus government efforts and incentives on the growth of Michigan companies – helping entrepreneurs to start businesses and helping existing companies to stay in business and to expand. An environment that improves the health of our “home-grown” businesses will have a much greater impact on Michigan’s economy than policies that are designed to get out-of-state companies to relocate here.
Administrative rules and red tape are imposing millions of dollars in costs on Michigan citizens and job providers, negatively affecting our state’s competitiveness in the global economy. With our current regulatory burdens and tax structure, we cannot compete with other states in the Union – let alone the world.

As part of my blueprint to fix Lansing and get Michigan back to work, I am proposing a “Stop Wasting Time, Start Creating Jobs” plan that would cut red tape and break down other barriers that stifle job creation. The changes would establish a new regulatory environment that is more reasonable and predictable for businesses. I would also streamline Michigan’s economic development system to make it more effective.

My plan calls for freezing all pending regulatory rules until a thorough review of existing regulations can be completed. As governor, I would not sign any regulatory bills into law until a detailed cost-benefit analysis was done on behalf of the citizens and job providers it would affect. I would also require environmental and regulatory standards to be based on sound science and reasoning.

I would reform the state’s permitting process; with some permit mandates eliminated and the rest simplified. The review process would be expedited and timelines set in stone, so businesses looking to locate or expand in Michigan can depend on specific dates in planning.

In addition to slashing red tape, Michigan Economic Development Corporation would be overhauled so it works for businesses and not the other way around. You can count on me to work with the Legislature to consolidate the current 300 pages of economic development laws into a single, coherent Michigan Economic Development Code.

In a Bouchard administration, the current economic development focus on helping select businesses and industries rather than the economy as a whole would end. Programs that pick winners and losers must go. In fact, any development program that doesn’t attract, expand or maintain jobs has no reason to continue.

Because it is difficult for companies to jump through the regulatory hoops necessary to do business in Michigan, we would assemble a team of “economic development account executives” who would be charged with helping businesses secure necessary permits and navigate their way through government requirements successfully.

This plan, if implemented along with changes to our tax structure, can help us regain our competitiveness, get our economy back on track and put us on the path to better times.

In its 173 years, our great state has come too far and overcome too much to stay down for the count. We can and must do what is necessary to rise up and make our state an economic contender again.

Bouchard is a Republican candidate for governor of Michigan.