As he starts his second term in office, Governor Snyder offered an assurance that the State balances its budget and does not live in debt. We have done just that in Westland and we commend all elected leaders who reverse years of out-of-control government spending.  It is our responsibility as public servants to be physically sound and find ways to cut costs and not leave the next generation with a deficit.

What he did not say and what I was waiting to hear him say is how he plans to fix the broken municipal funding problem that we have been living with for far too long.

The Governor offered a plan to institute an early warning system for municipalities with the intent to move away from emergency finance managers when possible. A scorecard would be created for all local and state jurisdictions and would include financial performance. 

We know what the problems are and the shortfalls we are facing. What we don't know is how the governor plans on solving this problem. We have all lost revenue due to the decline in property taxes.

In Westland, we were forced to identify, restructure and eliminate the crisis on our own. We need the state to do its part in solving the bigger and long-term problem.

Cities look to the state for leadership decisions that will enable us to operate more efficiently and over the last few years, we have been forced to do more with less as municipal funding declines. 

Cities are where innovation happens, jobs are created and where people live, work and play. The underlying problem is the broken funding mechanism for cities. As the Mayor I was looking to hear a vision for cities and the governor missed the mark again.

His themed speech of creating a "River of Opportunity" for all citizens is a concept grounded in reducing government dependency and a commitment on his part to wean people off of government programs.

His suggestion of using programs as a stepping-stone to independence is an idea worth exploring. It will be worth watching to see how his five-point plan unfolds.  This is why the focus on job creation and public/private partnerships are key. We need to collaborate on all levels of government and with the private sector to give everyone an opportunity to succeed including - as the Governor noted - the disabled and our veterans.

I agree that we need to raise the bar on education as part of the plan to give every citizen an opportunity to succeed. It is fitting that the day after the Country honors Martin Luther King Jr., the Governor would asks the legislature too have a serious discussion on a merits of expanding the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

As we watch the development of the Governor's "River of Opportunity" plan, we will also pay close attention to his Tax Increase proposal to pay for roads. Doubt anyone who navigates around the potholes and crumbling bridges would argue that our roads are not in desperate need of repair. The governor asked Michigan citizens for a "Yes" vote in May but the details of his plan have not been unveiled. We will closely watch the development of his campaign as he tries to sell the need for a tax increase.

I agree with the Governor that the issue with our roads needs to be addressed. We all drive the same roads and all will have a chance to voice our opinion at the polls in May.  So I will be asking you for your thoughts on the proposed Tax increase and what you think is the best solution. 

I look forward to reviewing additional details of Governor Snyder's plans for 2015-2016 and to his Energy message he is scheduled to deliver in March and evaluate how his plans for the State will impact residents in Westland and Wayne County.