It might be a bold move for the incoming Governor to appoint a senior level, cabinet member, person to be her advisor on rural policy. This person would report directly to the governor and would work across and with all state departments and agencies.
We have all seen the national and state reports on the increasing number of citizens moving to urban and suburban communities, while rural areas are seeing drops in population. Employers like Amazon, Apple, etc., are also moving expansions to urban areas. While this is occurring we see the list of rural issues continuing to grow and become more complex.
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula the state’s largest rural population area we know that issues like energy costs and access, road development and repair, internet/broadband access, access to economic development growth, health care availability, poverty related issues, education costs, etc., etc.. We have also watched as the outgoing Governor and lame duck legislature struggle with the water/environmental issues around the Enbridge gas line under the Mackinaw Bridge. This so-called Line 5 presents serious environmental protection issues it also is the major supplier of propane to the very rural Upper Peninsula which is very dependent on propane.
In the other rural areas of our state south western Michigan, northern Michigan struggle with policy issues and finding gubernatorial and legislative policy solutions for their concerns.
All of the above rural areas would benefit from the Governor’s appointment of a rural policy director and that person could take the lead on developing of a formal and informal rural policy agenda for the new administration. This cabinet level appointee could work with all department directors and community leaders to find policy issues and solutions to be taken to Lansing for resolution.
Over past years we have had formal and informal urban/suburban policy agendas, but we have never had a formal state rural policy agenda, much less a cabinet level appointee leading an effort for a rural policy. In addition this person could act as the “rural ombudsman” for the Governor and could craft solutions to issues brought to the “rural ombudsman”.
The two largest rural areas of Michigan are northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Upper Peninsula accounts for 3% of the state’s population and approximately 30% of the state land mass.
While there are many possible individuals to fulfill this role, the ideal person would have legislative (elected or staff) experience and/or experience in the executive branch. One person such person who jumps up immediately from the Upper Peninsula is former state rep and state senator Mike Prusi. He has held legislative leadership roles, served on appropriations and has worked extensively with Governors of Michigan over the years. He is highly regarded in both parties and by state wide leaders—his skill set could be very useful to the incoming Governor.
Okay what are some of the other individuals around the state who could do this job and have a good working relationship with the Governor and with both sides of the aisle in the legislature? What are some of the other duties you would want this person to do and what powers would you like them to have in their new role?
More to come……
#ruralpolicy. #ruralpolicydirector. #governorwhitmer