In the Media
The West Michigan Policy Forum is at the forefront of key policy discussions in Michigan. Recent media coverage highlights WMPF’s insights on issues such as the cost-efficiency of the NEVI Grant program, the impact of new paid sick leave laws, and the need for economic reforms to improve Michigan’s business climate. We continues to advocate for smarter fiscal policies, tax reform, and strategies to boost Michigan’s competitiveness.
Articles
- WMPF board member Mike Jandernoa provided a much-needed voice of reason during the governor’s literacy summit, saying that to address the state’s poor child literacy rates, Michigan needs laws requiring third-graders to read and giving each public school a letter grade for its overall academic achievement. (Detroit News)
- Jase Bolger, WMPF president and CEO, applauded the state House for “standing up for taxpayers and seeking to reign in the spending of hardworking Michigan taxpayers’ money” by rejecting $645 million in so-called work projects. (MIRS)
- Jase Bolger makes the case that despite record-high education spending, Michigan students aren’t seeing the results taxpayers deserve. (Bridge Michigan)
- West Michigan Policy Forum board member Dan Meyering writes about why a proposed ballot initiative to raise Michigan’s income tax is a dangerous policy for small-business owners and our state’s economy. (Crain’s Grand Rapids commentary)
- West Michigan Policy Forum board member Mark Murray writes about how it’s important to get the state budget done correctly, especially as it relates to the school aid fund. (Bridge Michigan)
John Kennedy, chair of the West Michigan Policy Forum Board, urges that the budget debate shouldn’t be simply about “finishing” a budget. It’s about “fixing” one. Getting it done right means keeping the retirement promises made to teachers, state troopers and state employees, plus fixing the roads ― without punishing workers and job creators with higher taxes, or pushing debt and problems to our kids’ futures. (Detroit News op-ed)
- John Kennedy urges Gov. Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Brinks and Speaker Hall to be mindful of state pension and health care obligations when formulating a state budget. (Gongwer)
- John Kennedy praises the House-approved budget, saying it prioritizes core needs like roads and pensions while tightening the belt on government bureaucracy. (Gongwer)
- Jase applauds a coalition’s cease and desist motion to stop the signature gathering for the unapproved ballot initiative. (Michigan Advance)
- Jase calls out proponents of the graduated income tax proposal, saying supporters are using language that is misleading and voters should not be fooled. (MIRS)
- Jase discusses the cease-and-desist motion under the Coalition to Stop the Business and Family Tax Hike, arguing that the summary being used by signature gatherers is misleading. (Gongwer)
- Jase Bolger writes about how the statewide graduated income tax hike would devastate Michigan small businesses, workers and our economy. (DetroitNews op-ed)
- Jase discusses how the graduated income tax proposal would more than double the state income tax for Michigan’s highest earners. (‘BigShow’ with Michael Patrick Shiels)
Jase Bolger points out that state funding for education has skyrocketed since 2019, yet performance has fallen (News Channel 3, June 26, 2025)
The West Michigan Policy Forum is part of a coalition opposing anti-business proposals (The Center Square, MSN, June 27, 2025)
- Ed groups launch ballot initiative to fund schools with surcharge for wealthiest taxpayers (Gongwer, June 5, 2025)
- Ballot proposal planned to tax wealthy Michigan residents to boost school funding (Detroit News, June 6, 2025)
- Michigan proposal to tax the rich, fund schools raises questions with business groups (Michigan Advance, June 9, 2025)
- Business leaders to meet to oppose graduated income tax proposal (WSGW Radio, June 26, 2025)
- Jase Bolger says calling for more education funding without stronger reform ignores reality (MLive, June 26, 2025)
- Former GOP Speaker agrees pushback against state’s corporate welfare plan (Yahoo News, May 27, 2025)
- Finley: West Michigan seeks ‘bold,’ dominant business voice (Detroit News, Nolan Finley column, May 27, 2025)
- Former GOP Speaker agrees with pushback against state’s ‘corporate welfare’ plan (Fox 2 Detroit, May 27, 2025
- Former House speaker tapped to lead West Michigan Policy Forum (Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, Tuesday, May 20, 2025)
- Michael Patrick Shiels “Big Show” (Jase Bolger, Tuesday, May 20, 2025)
- Michigan’s Anti-growth Policies are Eroding Business Activity and Job Creation (DBusiness, April 3)
- As Whitmer looks to boost manufacturing, Michigan has lost ground (Detroit News, April 8)
- Livengood: Michigan House GOP wants to DOGE tax subsidies for Detroit automakers (Detroit News, March 19)
- Nolan Out Loud: No road plan that kills jobs (Detroit News, Nolan Finley column, March 18)
- Kennedy: Fix Michigan’s roads without driving away jobs (Detroit News, John Kennedy op-ed, March 17)
- Lawmaker gets road-funding debate going; here’s what those bills would tax to pay for it (Crain’s Detroit Business, March 4)
- Michigan Opens First NEVI-Funded EV Charging Station (AutoBody News, Jase Bolger quoted, Jan. 2, 2025)
Radio
- Jase Bolger says Michigan does not have a revenue problem; it has a spending priority problem. And there are plenty of areas in the state budget where funding could be redirected. (WWJ Radio)
- John Kennedy, chair of the WMPF Board, calls on state officials to fulfill their promises to public employees and fix the state’s crumbling infrastructure without saddling businesses with higher costs. (Michael Patrick Shiels radio program)
- Jase Bolger talks about how Michigan’s small businesses are under assault by special interests attempting to double small business taxes with the graduated income tax ballot proposal. (Michael Patrick Shiels radio program)
- Jase Bolger talks about the importance of balance between the private, public and philanthropic sectors, given recent news relating to Steelcase. (Michael Patrick Shiels radio program)
- Jase was among those who spoke out against the onerous graduated income tax ballot proposal, and praised the board of canvassers for not voting for the petition language. (WGVU Radio)
Jase tells the board of canvassers the funds generated through a graduated income tax won’t help all schools and won’t benefit all kids. (WOOD 1300 AM Radio)
- WJR AM Radio with Bill and Rusty (Jase Bolger interviewed about the West Michigan Policy Forum)
- Michael Patrick Shiels “Big Show” (Jase Bolger interviewed, April 29)
- Michael Patrick Shiels “Big Show” – Job Rate (Jase Bolger, April 3)
- Michael Patrick Shiels “Big Show” – Road Funding (John Kennedy interviewed, March 23)
- Paul Miller Show, WPHM Radio – Road Funding (Jase Bolger, Wednesday, March 5)
- Michael Patrick Shiels “Big Show” – Road Funding (Jase Bolger, Wednesday, March 5)