Griffin forum tackles economy

For the last few years, Bill Ballenger said he’s been avoiding “the elephant in the room” when considering politically charged topics for his biannual Griffin Policy Forum.

But Ballenger, CMU's Griffin Endowed Chairman in American Government, will remedy that problem by hosting a forum titled, “Michigan’s Economy: Can it be Saved?” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 in CMU’s Park Library Auditorium.

“The economy dominates almost every conversation you have about prominent issues in Michigan today,” said Ballenger, who serves as a faculty member in CMU’s political science department and is the editor of Inside Michigan Politics. “If you don’t talk about the most important issue in the state of Michigan, by all accounts you’re missing a golden chance to be relevant.”

The Griffin Policy Forum is free and open to the public. A reception will take place in Park Library’s Baber Room from 6 to 7:30 p.m. before the discussion.

Topics will include Michigan’s challenges in the following areas: economic competition with other states, outsourcing, globalization, unemployment, and the decline of the domestic automotive industry and other heavy manufacturing. Panelists will share their thoughts about whether state government can do much to help fix Michigan’s economic problems.

“Comparing our situation with other states, you could argue we are in a worse position than ever,” Ballenger said. “Following the downturn in Michigan’s economic fortunes in 2000 and 2001, we have never really recovered, even though most of the nation has. Right now, we are fighting it out with the state of Mississippi for last place in the rate of employment.”

Panelists are: Alan Gilmour, retired vice chairman of Ford Motor Co.; David Hollister, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth; Daniel Howes, business columnist and associate business editor for the Detroit News; Tom Walsh, chief business columnist for the Detroit Free Press; and Sharon Miller, president of Immediate Temporary Help Inc. in Midland. Ballenger will moderate.

“There are people on this panel who are not gloom-and-doom prophets of disaster — they’re going to be pointing out positive aspects of this economy and the things that are going to get better,” said Ballenger.

CMU’s Griffin program seeks to build interest and increased engagement in politics among young adults, faculty and the general citizenry. The endowment honors Robert and Marjorie Griffin, both distinguished CMU alumni.