March 7, 2008
Radio address highlights efforts to protect hard-working families
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that the naming of a new insurance consumer advocate and the state Senate's approval of legislation she proposed to help families facing mortgage foreclosure will help protect hard-working families and citizens' pocketbooks.
"This week, I am pleased to tell you that not only are we continuing to fight to create jobs," Granholm said, "but there is exciting news to report on our efforts to ensure that we're doing all that we can to protect citizen's pocketbooks."
Earlier in the week, the governor announced that a new state insurance consumer advocate was named who will work to ensure fair and affordable rates for all insurance ratepayers in Michigan, some who are paying the highest homeowners and auto insurance rates in the nation.
The governor also praised the state Senate for moving on legislation she proposed that will help Michigan families who are facing mortgage foreclosure avoid losing their homes, by allowing MSHDA to implement two new refinance loan programs.
"These are great new programs and tools that we've developed to help protect hard-working Michigan families; without a doubt, I'll sign these bills once they reach my desk."
The governor added that the work to focus on the right priorities has not gone unnoticed. She highlighted the fact that Michigan was recently recognized by Governing magazine as a state that has been extremely well managed during an economic crisis - the best in the Midwest. She thanked state workers who have made it possible by doing more with less and finding new and better ways to serve the public.
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at (
www.michigan.gov/gov
) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Michigan is well managed
March 6, 2008
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
We recently announced that we're creating jobs today and jobs tomorrow through my economic stimulus package that will help to jumpstart our state's economy by fast forwarding 34 road projects across the state, putting 2,100 people to work right now.
And this week, I am pleased to tell you that not only are we continuing to fight to create jobs, but there is exciting news to report on our efforts to ensure that we're doing all that we can to protect citizens' pocketbooks.
First, this week I appointed a new state insurance consumer advocate who will roll up his sleeves and stand with me in my fight to ensure fair and affordable rates for all insurance ratepayers - no matter where they live. Some Michigan citizens are paying the highest homeowners and auto insurance rates in the nation. That is unacceptable. This new advocate will give Michigan consumers a voice and will stand up against the high cost of insurance.
Also this week, I'm pleased that the Senate moved on legislation that I proposed to protect Michigan homeowners who are facing mortgage foreclosures. The legislation will allow our Michigan State Housing Development Authority to implement two new refinance loan programs as a part of the Save the Dream campaign that will help Michigan families avoid losing their homes.
These are great new programs and tools that we've developed to help protect hard-working Michigan families; without a doubt, I'll sign these bills once they reach my desk.
Our work to focus on the right priorities - protecting people's pocketbooks, a job for every worker, heath care for every family, and education and training for every child and worker has not gone unnoticed.
In fact, I was one of only two governors invited to Washington, D.C. this week by Governing magazine in order to recognize Michigan as a state that has been extremely well managed during an economic crisis. Our state improved in three of the four categories in the magazine's survey, making us tied for the fourth best-managed and run state in the country - the best in the Midwest. As governor, I'm proud of this achievement and certainly of the state workers who have made it possible by doing more with less and finding new and better ways to serve the pubic.
We're reaping the benefits that come from focusing on the things that will make Michigan a great place to live, learn, and play.
Thank you for listening.
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