3/11/14 - Livingston County residents had the opportunity to hear the opinions of two opposing organizations on current Michigan affairs this morning at Crystal Gardens. The Good Morning Livingston program hosted by the Howell Chamber of Commerce featured John Bebow, President and CEO of the progressive-learning Center for Michigan, and Mike Reitz, Executive Vice President of the conservative-oriented Mackinac Center for Public Policy. While both agree their pathways to achieving certain reforms vary, their end goals are similar. The topics addressed were transparency and open government, early childhood education, road funding and the possibility of moving to part-time legislature. Bebow tells WHMI the stateâs prison system and its funding was one area of importance he would have liked to discuss. Both speakers agreed early childhood education is another big issue Michigan currently faces. Reitz believes the state needs to focus on determining its priorities in the education system before funding them and that the next generationâs education is a top priority. Bebow agrees, but believes upgrading teacher certification tests is the best way to ensure a top quality education. Reitz tells WHMI he believes School of Choice is an extremely beneficial system. Both speakers say they appreciated the opportunity to civilly discuss these important public policies and answer residentâs questions. (DK)
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