Lansing — Michigan must be committed to giving citizens access to higher education to create a skilled and thriving workforce, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said during Wednesday's State of the State address.

In laying out what she felt was necessary for a "good life" in Michigan, Granholm said "today that depends on a quality college education."

Granholm also recognized MSU's importance to the state economy during the speech.

"At Michigan State University, President Lou Anna Simon, who's here, is positioning our state to lead the world, and her Spartans, in the new bioeconomy," Granholm said. "This is not 'The Jetsons,' folks. This is right here, now, today."

Granholm spoke at length about Michigan's role in higher education, as well as the strategies for improving the state's sluggish economy, during her fourth and final address of her first term as Michigan's governor. Her proposals drew criticism from some state Republican legislators, who called her goals "unrealistic."

One of the goals Granholm outlined was to reinvigorate the Merit Award scholarship to provide $4,000 to college students who complete two years of college. Granholm asked the legislature to act on the initiative which she proposed last year.

"I put the new Merit Award scholarship before this group, and it is even more critical today than it was then," she said. "You should ask this legislature, 'Why are you waiting?'"

As to how the governor would fund the scholarship, Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo, answered after the address, "I don't know."

After the speech, Simon said the governor's recognition was a sign of her commitment to education's role in building a new economy in Michigan.

Simon said Granholm's address revealed a valuable link between the university's efforts and the governor's goals.

"It's helpful in opening dialogue with the governor," Simon said. "The bioeconomy is a bipartisan solution to Michigan.

"It's good to know the connection is there."

Still, the jury is out as to whether the governor's positive message will turn into positive appropriations when Granholm releases her budget in February, Simon said.

"If you look at it from a perspective of the budget," Simon said. "It will be a tough trade-off in order to grow capacity.

"As MSU becomes more international, it would be good to see appropriations above 1983 real dollars."

Julielyn Gibbons, the director of legislative affairs for ASMSU, said she was encouraged that the governor focused on the importance of education. ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government.

"One of her goals is to make Michigan the best educated workforce. It's clear to the governor and to me that is the essential element to the economic future of Michigan," Gibbons said. "Without education Michigan cannot move forward in the global marketplace."

Some Republicans said the plans outlined in Granholm's address will not solve Michigan's economic problems but were hopeful they could work together.

"There are stark differences in philosophies for turning this once-mighty economic powerhouse back into high gear, but I believe a true debate on our differences can lead to creative solutions and bold ideas that are sorely in need," said Michigan Speaker of the House Craig Deroche, R-Novi, in a statement.

George also questioned Granholm's ability to make good on her higher education promises.

While the new initiatives sound good, he's unsure where the money will come from.

"Why not just give the institutions what we've taken away?" George said. "We have to restore those first before embarking on some grand scheme."

He said, overall, Michigan universities were down about 11 percent in state funding from what they had received four to five years ago.

East Lansing Deputy City Manager Jean Golden was excited about the commitment made to education, especially in regard to MSU.

"I was delighted to see that she had invited President Lou Anna K. Simon. We are really looking forward to the economic partnerships that we would like to pursue, especially with the university," Golden said.

She was also encouraged by the focus Granholm put on turning around Michigan's economy.

"If the state does well, we do well. If the state does badly, we do badly."