With the New Year upon us, we reflect upon the year that was. The achievements made in 2014 will continue moving Michigan forward on the road to recovery.

After a decade of decline, 2014 marked four consecutive years of balanced budgets; the elimination of 1,500 regulations on job providers; and proactive accomplishments to cultivate a positive environment for job creation and long-term growth.

Once again, we passed a fiscally responsible budget that pays down debt and focuses on the key priorities of educating our children and continuing our economic recovery. Through this process I have proposed smart budgeting that has included nearly $100 million in taxpayer savings.

Education is key to every child’s future, which is why I am proud that Michigan is now doing more to help prepare all students for success and help them meet the skilled workforce needs of a growing economy through hands-on career and technical education (CTE).

In 2014, Gov. Snyder signed my CTE initiative, which includes schools, local businesses, public-private partnerships, trade organizations, universities and community colleges working together to make information about career and technical education more accessible to students and families with a new website.

I am proud that we are giving our students the flexibility to get an education that meets their needs by encouraging schools to work with their communities to offer career-based job programs that offer high standards. The new law will ensure that all Michigan schools will have access to important CTE information on how this can best be done for students.

Manufacturing jobs in Michigan are again on the rise, and businesses need qualified applicants to fill those positions. Michigan’s economy is growing at a faster rate than the nation as a whole, resulting in the creation of more than 300,000 private sector jobs and 75,000 manufacturing jobs in Michigan in less than four years.

It is great news that we are now strongly encouraging schools to establish programs that award credit toward a college degree or an industry-recognized professional certificate – giving students on-the-job training so that they can live and work in Michigan.

We have accomplished much in the past four years to reenergize Michigan, yet we have much to do to build upon that success and sustain it for future generations.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties.