January 24, 2006
January 24, 2006
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded the Supreme Court’s decision supporting the sale of state property to the Toyota Technical Center USA, Inc., saying it paves the way for expansion of the research and development center and the creation of hundreds of high-tech, 21st century jobs in Michigan.
“This is a great day for Michigan,” Granholm said today. “We are putting the world on notice that we will fight for every job in Michigan and that we will go anywhere, anytime to bring jobs to this state.”
The Michigan Supreme Court acted after Granholm took the rare and exceptional step of asking the Court to expedite the resolution of a lawsuit (DPG York, LLC v State of Michigan) challenging the sale of state-owned property in Washtenaw County to Toyota Technical Center USA, Inc. In an executive message to the Court, Granholm said resolution of the constitutional challenge to a law authorizing the property sale is of such importance that it requires a final resolution as quickly as possible.
The Governor, along with Democratic and Republican legislative leaders, earlier urged Michigan’s appellate courts to quickly resolve the litigation that stood in the way of this important economic development project.
In response to the Governor’s executive message, the Michigan Supreme Court granted the motion for reconsideration of its order of December 28 asking the Court of Appeals to review York. The Court reconsidered its earlier order and ruled in favor of the State of Michigan. Today’s order is a final decision in the case.
“Since the sale of this property to Toyota was authorized by state lawmakers, we have been confident that the State would prevail in this case,” Granholm said. “This decision is a vindication of Michigan’s effort to retain its position as the automotive research and development capital of the world.”
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