Governor Snyder Talks Michigan's Future at Annual Tulip Time Luncheon
Julie Bitely
| 2 min read
Michigan has gained a lot of ground in recent years, but Governor Rick Snyder said there's still a lot of work to be done in the state. Snyder was the keynote speaker at the annual Tulip Time Festival Luncheon held in Holland on Wednesday. This was his fifth year attending the luncheon, although he wasn’t able to take part in the Volksparade that follows due to an Achilles tendon injury he suffered in January. He quipped that wooden shoes just aren’t a recommended part of his physical therapy regimen. Snyder cheered the state of Michigan, particularly Ottawa and Kent counties for job growth and declining unemployment. “Michigan is the comeback state in many ways,” Snyder said. Still, he said there’s much more to do and outlined his support for more preschool through 3rd-grade education initiatives and an emphasis on technical and skilled labor education paths for high school students. He also called for better career counseling for high school students about to enter the workforce or attend college, so that they are fully informed about available jobs that could support a middle-class lifestyle.
“It’s not good enough. We can do better,” he said. The luncheon was the last for Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra, who is leaving the city to become president of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill. Tulip Time Executive Director Gwen Auwerda thanked Dykstra for his service and presented him with a special mayoral pair of wooden shoes to commemorate his time in office. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was a sponsor of the luncheon and Pat Prichard, BCBSM Vice President, West Michigan and Upper Peninsula, shared closing remarks. He highlighted the Blues’ mission to provide access to quality healthcare at an affordable and sustainable cost and called out a commitment to helping kids make healthier choices through initiatives such as #MIKidsCan. If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy:
