Engler to focus on education, tax cuts

As one of the first items of business in his third term as Michigan's governor, John Engler will present his ninth State of the State address to legislators in Lansing tonight.

In his address, Engler will tackle topics including education and tax cuts, spokesperson John Truscott said.

"Education is our key priority issue, as it has been in every speech," Truscott said.

Although much of the speech should focus on primary and secondary education issues, Truscott said, Engler will not forget the needs of Michigan's colleges and universities.

"There will be a little mention of higher education," Truscott said. "We are very proud of our higher education system. It's one of the best in the country."

Truscott added that Engler plans to present a proposal that would allow the mayor of a city to take control of the city's public school system.

Pointed specifically at Detroit public schools, the proposal would allow a mayor to step in and appoint a five-member board to run the schools, Truscott said. After five years, a public vote would determine whether the system would remain in effect further.

"There's nobody out there that would defend the Detroit Public Schools," Truscott said.

Rep. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) said the plan is not a very wise way to improve the public education system.

"I think it's a very misguided proposal," Brater said. "In a lot of cities, the school district and city lines don't match up. It would make no sense to have the mayor take over the school district."

Truscott said Engler will also lay out a plan for cutting state income taxes from the current 4.4 percent, which the governor discussed extensively during his campaign for re-election. The new figure of 3.9 percent would be the lowest rate since the early 70s.

The tax cut legislation began moving through the legislative process Tuesday, Truscott said.

Brater doubted that the state has the financial resources available to offer the tax cut.

"The cost of the plan is $3.8 billion over five years," Brater said. "It's very misleading right now to say there's a surplus in the state."

Truscott said Engler will reiterate a proposal that he introduced at last year's State of the State address involving drug testing for people on welfare.

Brater said the idea places blame for an overloaded welfare system in the wrong hands.

"I think it's an effort to scapegoat people," Brater said. "We shouldn't have one standard for one small group of people and another for the rest."

Although the speech will be Engler's ninth, it will not be without suspense, Truscott said.

"There will be a surprise that nobody knows about," he said.

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