DeVos will listen to small business

by Larry Meyer
MRA Chairman and CEO

Among a governor’s many tasks is communication with leaders from the various economic sectors in the state. Either in person or through phone calls and letters, the Governor’s Office works with these leaders to understand their industry’s needs, balancing the concerns of the various groups.

Governors cannot be experts at everything. They rely on industry leaders from around the state to provide insight on the issues that arise.

In my position at the helm of MRA, I’ve worked with several Michigan governors. Unfortunately, the current chief executive, Jennifer Granholm, is a stark and disappointing contrast from her most immediate predecessors.

John Engler and Jim Blanchard were very different in many ways. One I considered a friend (and still do), the other seemed not to like me much.

But in one way, they were far more alike and far different from Granholm. Both Blanchard and Engler knew how to work with the leaders of various industries, including retail.

Under both those administrations, I heard on a regular basis about appointments, legislation, budget decisions—anything that would impact retailers. Not only was I kept “in the loop,” but my views were solicited on a regular basis regarding matters that affected the retail industry.

These governors did not always take my advice, but they sought it. They respected the views of retail and the small-business sector.

Back in 2002 I had hopes that when Jennifer Granholm was sworn in, I would come to know and work with her administration as I had those of Blanchard and Engler. That hope has not been fulfilled.

Granholm’s administration has done next to nothing to seek input from MRA on matters affecting retail. Whether this is due to disorganization in the front office or a conscious choice to close the door, I don’t know. But the lack of effort to communicate with retail has led to blunders and poor policy decisions.

I’ve said before that we need a change in the governor’s chair, and I’m more convinced every day that Dick DeVos is the change we need.

DeVos has assured me that if elected, he will seek MRA’s views on issues that affect retail. I believe him—not because I’m easily persuaded by politicians’ promises, but because that’s usually how effective government works. It’s only under Granholm that this industry’s concerns have become seemingly invisible to the administration.

I can’t wait to see a businessman sworn in as the next governor of our state.