Meet the powerhouse panel for our March 14 Michigan Good Government Summit

In this crucial 2018 election year, Michigan citizens will vote for a new governor, attorney general, and every one of Michigan's House and Senate seats will be up for grabs. We will also vote on major ballot initiatives that could change state law. Decisions must be made and changes will come. What will you decide? How do we ensure that Michigan is a great place to live beyond 2018? How can we build a state government that works for you?

On March 14, join the Center for Michigan and Bridge Magazine for Solutions Summit: A Great Place to Live & Good Government, a day-long policy discussion on answers to these critical questions. Admission is free. Hear from our expert panelists, ask questions and share feedback with our speakers, and watch a debut screening of Bridge Magazine’s documentary, “Michigan Divided,” an exploration of political division in Michigan. The event is free, but you must RSVP to guarantee your spot.

Here are our panelists and topics:

Exploring how to create thriving cities and metropolitan regions:

City of Walker Mayor Mark Huizenga, City of Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski, City of Westland Mayor Bill Wild, Citizens Research Council’s Jill Roof, and Michigan Deputy Treasurer and local government finance expert Eric Scorsone.

Balancing economic growth and natural resources protection:

The Nature Conservancy’s Helen Taylor, Michigan Chemistry Council’s John Dulmes, Michigan League of Conservation Voters’ Lisa Wozniak, Director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes Jon Allan, Michigan Environmental Council’s Chris Kolb, and Detroit Climate Action Collaborative’s Kimberly Hill Knott,

What to do about Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure:

Chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s Sally Talberg, members of Gov. Snyder’s 21st Century Infrastructure Committee Mike Nystrom and Joi Harris, and former state legislator and current State Budget Director John Walsh.

Issues that impact public trust, such as regulations on campaign finance, redistricting, term limits, and state government transparency:

Campaign finance transparency expert Craig Mauger, President of Voters Not Politicians (the group leading the ballot initiative on redistricting) Katie Fahey, Republican strategist Jeff Timmer, and Michigan Press Association’s General Counsel Joe Richotte.

Other heavy-hitting topics:

• Michigan State University economics professor Charley Ballard, former director the Michigan House Fiscal Agency Mitch Bean, and senior director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy Michael LaFaive each join Center for Michigan CEO John Bebow for a discussion about the best ways to improve state taxing and spending.

• Josh Hovey presents the case for the pro-legalization of recreational marijuana ballot issue, and Matthew Yascolt will present the case against legalizing recreational marijuana. 

• Jeff Wiggins, president of the anti-prevailing wage ballot committee, and Pat Devlin, secretary-treasurer of the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, present opposing sides of the prevailing wage repeal ballot issue.

When: Wednesday, March 14 from 8:30 to 4 pm

Location: The Huntington Club conference facility inside Spartan Stadium in East Lansing 

Continental breakfast and lunch included. Admission is free, donations welcome at the door. If you require any accommodations as an attendee of these Summits, please contact Engagement Director Amber DeLind.

The morning portion of the summit will focus on issues that make Michigan a great place to live, lunch will include an announcement of the Michigan Truth Tour and a screening the Bridge documentary “Michigan Divided,” and the afternoon will focus on issues related to good and effective state government.

The film was shot throughout 2017 and follows six Michigan families across from across political and demographic spectrums. What can the state’s residents agree on? And how can we work together for a better future?

This Summit is one of four policy conferences the Center and Bridge will be hosting as a kickoff to our 2018 Michigan Truth Tour. These summits will identify and outline potential solutions to the state’s most pressing issues, amplify expert discussion of those public issues, give the audience an opportunity to ask questions of these experts, and set a fact- and data-driven tone for the 2018 statewide elections.

Don’t wait, seating is limited! Reserve your seat today!