April 17, 2007
April 17, 2007
Cabinets meet in Lansing to continue dialogue, collaboration
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, along with members of their respective Cabinets, met this afternoon in Lansing to continue their discussions on issues important to revitalizing the city and state while investing in Michigan's citizens.
"Our Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow plan is the most comprehensive economic plan of any state in the nation," Granholm said. "It's not only the right plan for Michigan, it's the right plan for Detroit. A key component of our plan is targeted to revitalizing cities with infrastructure improvements like roads, bridges, and nursing homes; investing in education for all children; making health care more affordable and accessible; and tearing down blighted buildings and houses. Together, we can be an economic powerhouse in the 21st century."
The governor acknowledged the budget crisis facing the state and the need to get it resolved quickly.
Mayor Kilpatrick empathized with the challenges facing the state and said his administration stands with the governor as she works to make the tough decisions that will resolve the state's budget crisis.
"While the governor has one of the toughest challenges facing any governor in the nation, we, in Detroit, understand how difficult the choices are," Kilpatrick said. "We have been down a very rough budget road in Detroit. It is not easy to cut the budget and lay off employees, but it was necessary to preserve Detroit. Now we are looking for the state to make tough choices so they aren't balancing the budget on the backs of cities by cutting revenue sharing."
In addition to pledging his support for the governor, Kilpatrick provided an update on his Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative (NDNI), a five-year strategy focusing on the rejuvenation of Detroit neighborhoods. NDNI will concentrate on improving such basic quality of life issues as cleanliness, safety, and beautification through growth and development strategies.
Also on Tuesday's agenda was an update on initiatives aimed at reducing crime, stimulating the economy, implementing workforce development programs, creating jobs, and improving education.
