Twice per year, the Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University hosts the Griffin Policy Forum, which focuses on key issues in the news, particularly those surrounding Michigan politics.
Organized by Griffin Chair Gary Peters, the theme for this fall's Griffin Forum is "Now What? Managing the budget crisis while promoting a positive future for Michigan." It will take place this coming Tuesday at 7:30 in Plachta Auditorium. A reception will follow on the 2nd floor lobby of Warriner.
Panelists will include Speaker of the House Andy Dillon (D); House Republican Leader (and former Speaker) Craig DeRoche; Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R); and Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D). Moderator will be Tim Skubick, host of the public-television program Off the Record. The forum will include a question-and-answer period. (Of course, I urge you to use common sense and avoid any temptation to, shall I say, go ape$#!^ at DeRoche and Bishop.)
According to the forum's Web page:
The four leaders each will summarize this year’s achievements and disappointments in the Michigan government and summarize their party’s perspectives on the challenges and opportunities awaiting the legislature in the coming year.
- Has the state budget crisis been solved?
- What is the future for university funding in Michigan?
- How can Michigan prepare to compete globally?
- How can universities help Michigan compete economically?
This is perhaps the highest-caliber Griffin Forum CMU has seen. This is a very rare opportunity to see so many well-known Michigan political figures together at CMU. One would be lucky to see Skubick, Dillon, DeRoche, Bishop, and Schauer all together in Lansing, much less in Mount Pleasant.
These folks are also rising stars in Michigan's political arena. Peters and Schauer are both running for Congress in 2008, while some speculate that Dillon, DeRoche, and Bishop may be candidates for Governor in 2010.
2 comments:
High caliber?
Four people that couldn't reach a budget agreement until the last second.
I like Bishop and company, but let's not overdo the value of this forum. Griffin has sponsored truly superb forums in the past. And scheduling it on election night with a game? I would have made the trip up if the election didn't conflict with it.
Chet
www.OutsideLansing.com
It really shows how much Gary Peters cares about CMU students when he schedules it on the night of the football game against WMU. And you know they're desperate, when they have to call political cronies at SVSU and bus kids over to make sure people attend it.
Post a Comment