Our elected leaders are getting ready to meet and clink beers at next week’s Mackinac Policy Conference, but they certainly don’t deserve “cheers” from Michigan citizens. For one, thousands of people have been fleeing Michigan for other states that offer more prosperity; 42,212 people to be exact, according to the U.S. Census, and that number is projected to reach over 80,000 by 2025. Moreover, Michigan was just ranked 50th among all states and the District of Columbia with only 1% population growth from 2000 to 2020, according to the Citizens Research Council. 

This isn’t a call for celebration – it’s a call for policy change. 

Poorly written and ill-intentioned legislation, focusing on the wrong incentives, is causing people to move to Sun Belt states that are offering a more promising future, like better jobs and higher quality education – and in turn, the massive outflux of Michiganders is causing our economy to fail. We’ve been facing an economic crisis for a couple of years, and everyone pointed their fingers at COVID, but what’s to blame now? 

Other states like Florida and Texas have been flourishing, so it’s time we stop blaming COVID and start holding our lawmakers accountable for hurting Michigan’s future. 

Reach out to your local legislator – share your story as a Michigander and let them know to stop mingling and start working on policies that drive a stronger Michigan.