Current Priorities

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The West Michigan Policy Forum has a targeted 3-tiered approach to accomplish the policy priorities it adopts. We strategically decide whether the selected issue needs our leadership, our advocacy or simply a support role with other partners to be successful. This 3-tiered approach to our current priorities is listed below:

1. EMPOWER Every Student for a lifetime of success

Improve Education, Focus on Read by Grade Three
Mississippi climbed to the top 10 in 4th grade reading through teacher training, tutoring and effective accountability while Michigan fell to 44th; denying A-F school grading to inform parents and literacy-based promotion to prepare kids is fostering failure.
More Options for More Kids
At least 30 states have opted in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, giving 90% of their kids access to individual options at no cost to taxpayers or schools; not supporting scholarships is caving to partisan politics

2. Ignite Michigan's Business Creation, Job Growth, and Career Potential

Transform the MEDC
Instead of handing favors to a few, make Michigan’s economic development effort a one-stop shop to help any business through every permit, registration and form needed to open, grow or move to Michigan; failing to do so favors only the few and well-connected.
Return the Balance of Right to Work
Under RTW unions remained free to make their case while workers became free to make their choice; jobs were added, manufacturing rose and incomes grew. Since repeal, jobs and income growth have declined; not calling for return of RTW is choosing to ignore the facts.
Reform to Eliminate the Tax on Work
With $12 billion in pet projects sitting in Lansing and five of the top ten in-migration states offering no income tax, through fiscal discipline we can responsibly phase out the income tax; not demanding relief from the penalizing tax on work ignores our competition.

3. Elevate quality of life TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN FAMILIES FOR A THRIVING MICHIGAN

Fully Fund Pension Promises
We must fully fund the promises made to teachers, troopers and state employees. Staying the current course will fully fund these pension obligations, saving taxpayers over $3 billion per year; abandoning that path piles the burden on our kids and grandkids.
Supply Energy Needs
Rising electricity demand requires removing cost-raising mandates and relying on sound planning for affordable, dependable, energy; refusing to do so puts special interest demands over our workers’ and families’ needs.