Jase Bolger named President & CEO of the West Michigan Policy Forum
Former House speaker to elevate policy efforts in wake of Michigan’s alarming slide
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The West Michigan Policy Forum (WMPF) today announced the appointment of Jase Bolger, a former Michigan House speaker and long-time policy advisor to the WMPF, as its first-ever President and CEO. Bolger moves up into this expanded role to help reverse Michigan’s alarming slide in employment, education and population.
Michigan has experienced the largest increase in unemployment in the United States over the last year, third-grade reading scores are at a 10-year low, and it was recently revealed that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s corporate subsidies – totaling nearly $1 billion – have created only a fraction of the jobs promised.
“Now more than ever, Michigan needs strong, principled leadership from job creators to help reclaim Michigan’s place as a national leader in innovation and career opportunities,” Bolger said.
“The West Michigan Policy Forum exists because Michigan matters. Policy matters. And the people of our great state matter. We’re going to raise our voice, rally citizens throughout our state, and fight for policy that empowers individuals, grows opportunity and population and holds elected officials accountable.”
Under Bolger’s leadership, the WMPF will sharpen its focus on creating a vibrant business climate, enhancing quality of life, and strengthening Michigan’s K-12 education system—all underpinned by the enduring values of free enterprise and individual empowerment.
“The WMPF was formed in 2008 after watching budget gimmicks and deficits grow and the advent of the devastating Michigan Business Tax led to Michigan having the worst unemployment rate in the country. After a decade of work and achieving a litany of key reforms like Right-to-Work, repealing costly Prevailing Wage mandates, cutting the income tax and adding accountability in education Michigan leaped ahead. We were devastated to see these reforms repealed in 2023 and 2024,” said John Kennedy, WMPF chair.
“We now see Michigan leading the country in unemployment growth and trailing the nation in education performance. We can do better. Michigan’s hardworking women and men deserve better. Jase Bolger brings the courage and clarity we need to help Michigan go from the bottom of the list to the top.”
Bolger takes the helm amid growing concern about the state’s trajectory. From personal income stagnation to regulatory overreach and a broken education system, Bolger has not minced words about the urgent need for reform.
Bolger said, “We will be unafraid and unapologetic when it comes to fighting for a better future for Michigan’s workers and their children.”
WMPF’s renewed strategic direction will focus on making Michigan a better place to build a business, create jobs and raise a family by improving the business climate, driving better education results and building a higher quality of life.
Bolger’s unique experience as a legislative leader and private-sector executive makes him ideally suited to lead WMPF’s mission. As speaker, he championed landmark tax and education reforms that helped restore Michigan’s economy post-recession. In taking the helm of the WMPF, he noted, “We don’t need to wonder what works, we can look to high-growth states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee and model their success and quit repeating the failures of California, New York and Illinois.”
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