Gov. Jennifer Granholm will have more than enough to do for the next four years.

After a mud-spattered election, observers say Granholm will need to focus on health care, education and the state's economy to fulfill her promises to voters.

The governor's performance in her last term and her views on education are what bagged food industry management senior Cara Sturley's vote. Sturley said she would like to see more funding for education, but Michigan's economy is a big concern for her, as well.

"It's important to me that there are jobs for college graduates," she said. "It's important we find something to support us."

It's easy to point to broad issues such as health care, education and the economy as top priorities, but there are many smaller details to consider, said Jim Agee, co-director of MSU's Michigan Political Leadership Program.

A fair replacement for the Single Business Tax, set to expire in 2007 and criticized for inhibiting business growth in Michigan, is just one example of building a basis on which to address other issues.

Granholm announced a plan Wednesday, known as the Michigan Business Tax, that would replace the Single Business Tax.

"If those problems are something you can drill down on and get specific on, it's a real hefty plate to start with," Agee said. "What do you do about getting a fair corporate tax (that) doesn't destroy services, which are health care and education?"

One of the issues Agee said Granholm should address is making higher education more affordable. Although Granholm's plan for the $4,000 New Merit Scholarship will help students go to college, higher education should be made affordable to every student.

The New Merit Scholarship is a proposal that would grant each Michigan student $4,000, provided they successfully complete two years at a college or university.

The plan would replace the similar $2,500 Merit Scholarship granted to students who pass the MEAP, a statewide standardized test.

Rep. Dianne Byrum, D-Onondaga — who is set to retire from the House when this year's session ends — said the governor is poised for a great start in next year's term with her "resounding victory" and a Democratic-led House.

"She will have an easier time getting her agenda," she said, adding that Granholm has contended with a Republican-controlled Legislature since 2002.

"That's a distinct advantage she has not had in the last four years."

Introducing her plan to replace the Single Business Tax is also a step in the right direction for Granholm's approaching term, Byrum said.

"If we don't get the Michigan Business Tax in lame duck, that will be the top of her agenda," she said.

Byrum said other top priorities for the governor include the $4,000 merit scholarship and repealing a law that gives special treatment to drug companies.

Rep. Chris Ward, R-Brighton, the House minority floor leader-elect, said voters made themselves clear in November, and Republicans will keep that in mind next term.

"This term should be focused more on executing her plans and getting down to the nitty-gritty instead of just announcing plans," he said.

"Many times, (her plans have) never been followed up by details or bills. Then we're blamed that we never did anything."

One plan should be finding an innovative way to fund education, Ward said.

"No matter how much money we pull into the budget, we just can't keep up with costs," he said.

"Something's gotta give. The way it is now, it's on an inevitable course to destruction."