Brooks Patterson on the Economy

A Stimulus Package in Washington Would Only Mask Problems In Michigan

Obama’s stimulus presumes to offer fiscal relief to states like Michigan. Patterson sees it differently.

“The state has several problems, of course, and unfortunately, Obama’s stimulus package is going to paper over the structural deficit we have in Michigan,” Patterson said. “We have a very hostile tax policy in this state. We have severe budget issues. And they’ll get (the stimulus money) and put it into operations -- as if it’s a windfall, as the governor sees it -- and she will now say the problem with the budget is being managed. It’s not being managed.”

Why does Michigan face a perpetual budget crisis? Surely the struggles of the Big Three automakers and the state’s high unemployment rate are major factors, but Patterson doesn’t let Granholm off easily.

“She cannot budget,” Patterson said. “And if you can’t budget, you’re damned.”