With an estimated television audience of more than 560,000 and an approval rating reported as high as 66-percent, Governor Rick Snyder delivered his first State of the State Address Wednesday night, sounding much like a C.E.O. delivering a business plan during the 44-minute speech. After departing from what had become the “norm” in Lansing by scheduling the speech quite early in the year and not providing the media with an advance copy of his remarks, Governor Snyder stuck with his theme of economic development priorities and urged the Legislature and citizens alike to participate in what he characterized as “solving problems.”

In his strongest statement of the evening, Snyder communicated a clear and enthusiastic message of support for the Detroit River International Crossing DRIC), ensuring listeners that the State would not incur any debt. Further, the Governor explained his recent brokering of a deal whereby $550 million from the Canadian government will be used as matching funds to assist in other road projects throughout Michigan.

Also clear among the Governor’s initiatives was his calling for the elimination of the state’s “item pricing” law and his reiterating of his campaign promise to eliminate the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) and replace it with a 6-percent corporate net income tax (see related story).

Other items included in Governor Snyder’s remarks were:

• Funding the Pure Michigan advertising campaign at $25 million each year
• Amending the law allowing for the appointment of emergency financial managers for municipalities and school districts by allowing said officials to be appointed earlier as signs of fiscal trouble become apparent
• Decentralization of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through increased coordination with regional agencies
• Passing a 2-year budget by May 31st
• Emphasizing “economic gardening” by focusing efforts on existing Michigan businesses in addition to business attraction.

Finally, the Governor announced the release of the new Michigan Dashboard (www.michigan.gov/midashboard), a tool for the measurement of Michigan’s progress in specific statistics relative to other states.

The recurring theme of cooperation and bipartisanship continued through Wednesday’s activities as even the Democratic response, delivered by Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), sought to ensure an understanding of the Party-leaders’ willingness to work with the new Governor.