Thursday, March 28, 2024

Englers State of the State raises many issues, concerns

Gov. John Engler’s plan to allow the governor to appoint seven additional members to the boards of MSU, Wayne State University, the University of Michigan and the State Board of Education should not be adopted.

In his 11th State of the State speech Wednesday, Engler touted the state’s successes of the last year and outlined his agenda for the coming year. The speech included Engler’s plans for improving public education and technology and his proposed changes to the governances of three of Michigan’s universities.

Engler proposed an amendment to the state constitution to allow the governor to appoint seven additional members to the elected eight-member boards of MSU, Wayne State, U-M and the State Board of Education. The boards of 10 Michigan universities are already fully appointed by the governor.

The governor would not be allowed to appoint more than four members from one political party. If approved, the amendment would not take effect until after Engler’s final term ends.

  • Engler claims gubernatorial appointees would expand the pool of board candidates by not requiring perspective members to go through the electoral process, and therefore opening the opportunity to those turned off by the process. However, those who were appointed by the governor may think their loyalty is to the governor and not to the people whom they serve.

    Despite efforts to make the plan bipartisan, it still allows the governor to appoint more from one party, and may potentially add to a majority that may already be present in the elected board. A heavy majority may stifle essential debate on board issues.

  • While Engler’s speech was good and his agenda promising, the implementation of his agenda would require more time than is left in his term. Many of his plans seem unlikely to make it through the legislative process and be put into action in the near future.

  • Engler’s Cybercourt proposal has the potential of benefiting the people of Michigan. The plan includes online e-filings, Web-based conferencing and virtual courtrooms. This could save a significant amount of time and tax money now wasted on frivolous court cases and negligible filing.

  • Engler should be praised for making public education a high priority in Michigan’s future. Education should now be and continue to remain at the top of Engler’s, and all of his successors’, priority list.

  • The appearance of Sparty at Engler’s address was inappropriate. MSU’s mascot should not be a public relations tool for Engler or any political figure. A symbol of the university should not be used to further the agenda of someone not affiliated with the school.

    While Engler’s commitment to education is admirable, his plan to allow the governor to appoint additional members to university boards should not be adopted. Engler made many good points in his speech, but some of those plans need serious consideration and reform before being implemented.

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