State of the State Highlights Michigan's Turnaround; Silent on Local Government Contributions

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Snyder delivered his fourth State of the State address on Thursday, which highlighted multiple successes the state has seen in recent years including; two consecutive years of population growth,  a national rank of seventh for growth in personal income per capita and fifth for improved home prices, as well as a sixteen percent growth in agricultural exports. 

The Michigan Association of Counties (M.A.C.) applauds the governor for all of the triumphs that Michigan has seen, including the nearly $1 billion surplus, which the governor said Michigan should convene "as a family" in regards to how it should be distributed.

"We are happy to see the state is turning around and are pleased to have been part of that success, and would like to make sure that counties are at the table as part of the family as this surplus is distributed," said M.A.C. Executive Director Tim McGuire. "Counties have sacrificed a significant amount of revenue and resources in order to help the state right itself."

Having foregone an estimated $6 billion from the state in the past decade, local units of government are struggling to provide the services they are required to deliver. Counties are responsible for a plethora of essential services, including: jails, sheriffs, courts, public health and foster care.  With a decrease in support from the state and a decrease in property value, the current model of mandating counties to deliver services without adequate funding resources is unsustainable.

M.A.C. looks forward to working with the governor to continue supporting Michigan's prosperity and economic success, and to fix the current municipal financing model.

The Michigan Association of Counties (M.A.C.) founded on February 1, 1898, is the only statewide organization dedicated to the representation of all county commissioners in Michigan. M.A.C. is a non-partisan, non-profit organization which advances education, communication and cooperation among county government officials in the state of Michigan. M.A.C. is the counties' voice at the State Capitol, providing legislative support on key issues affecting counties.

SOURCE Michigan Association of Counties