Snyder To Obama: Fix Budget, Tax Code, Immigration
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan's Republican governor says he hopes President Barack Obama takes on the federal tax system in his State of the Union address, saying that poor fiscal management and debt continue to "stand in the way of America's true economic potential."
[Hear The State Of The Union LIVE On WWJ At 9 p.m.]
Rick Snyder said Tuesday that the economy is first among the challenges facing the Democratic president.
"The president has a prime opportunity to set the stage for action on key issues of genuine concern to American families. First and foremost is our economic future. Washington must come to grips with fiscal reality," the governor said. "The ongoing failure to balance our national budget, coupled with the staggering long-term debt, continues to stand in the way of America's true economic potential. Americans also continue to wait for long overdue reform to our federal tax code that focuses on the principles of being simple, fair and efficient. Tackling these issues will lead to more and better jobs for workers and enhanced opportunities for our children as they prepare for this global economy.
Snyder also repeats a theme from his State of the State address that immigration holds a key to economic development. He's called for visas for entrepreneurs willing to start businesses in Detroit.
Snyder says "highly skilled, legal immigrants with advanced academic degrees or entrepreneurial talents create jobs for Americans."
"Americans know what needs to be done. Unfortunately, the broken political culture in Washington remains a barrier to meaningful progress on these critical reforms. It doesn't have to be that way," Snyder said. "Michigan is the comeback state because we're tackling the tough issues. Michiganders are working together with relentless positive action to achieve great things. There's no reason that can't happen in Washington."
Snyder himself won't be attending the speech, but he said Lieutenant Gov. Brian Calley and General Motors CEO Mary Barry are scheduled to attend.
President Obama is expected to announce minimum wage increase for federal contractors during his address, which will begin at 9 p.m. LISTEN LIVE HERE, or tune to WWJ-AM 950.
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