State fiscal leaders from the Legislature and the executive branch met with economists from across the state last Friday for the annual January Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference.

The good news is economic experts forecast Michigan’s economy will continue to improve, and that the future is bright for our state.

It is another illustration that our efforts to revitalize our great state and energize our economy are working, especially in southwest Michigan.

It was also recently announced that Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December dropped to 6.3 percent — the lowest it has been since 2002. In fact, over the last four years we have seen nearly 300,000 private sector jobs created.

Since 2011, we’ve achieved much in building a stronger, more vibrant Michigan. Our leadership and thoughtful reforms put Michigan on the path to economic prosperity and financial stability.

While we helped create an environment that encourages investment and job creation, the real work to achieve this turnaround was done by hardworking families, small business leaders and entrepreneurs. Their drive and commitment to our state, and to southwest Michigan, is a vital component to keeping our state and region on the path to prosperity.

Another bright spot in the report is the $35.8 million increase to the projected revenue for the state’s School Aid Fund.

Educating our students will continue to be a top priority for me as we strive to help our students achieve higher proficiency scores and prepare them for good jobs available in our state. I have shown this commitment by supporting funding increases of as much as $405 per pupil throughout the state since 2012.

As we begin the work of setting Michigan’s budget once again, I will work to find taxpayer savings and efficiencies and to build upon our solid foundation in order to continue to attract job creators and help us achieve long-term economic growth.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.