The Michigan Chronicle kicked off the seventh season of its annual Pancakes & Politics speakers’ series with Gov. Rick Snyder before a sold-out crowd at the Detroit Athletic Club.
Snyder, who is no stranger to the series having been a keynote speaker at last year’s opening forum, spoke candidly about a variety of topics impacting the state, but focused his opening remarks on the state’s economic recovery, saying Michigan is on “a path of reinvention.”
“You can feel the things that are going on in the state,” he said. Further outlining his vision for the state he emphasized two “ruling principals”: the need for more and better jobs and a bright future for our children.
However, during the event’s question and answer session the looming March 27 deadline for the state-appointed financial review team’s report on what should happen with the city of Detroit and its multimillion-dollar budget deficit was tackled head-on. Appointed in December, the 10-member team’s job was to review the city’s finances ahead of a possible intervention. The team is expected to recommend either the appointment of an emergency manager or a consent agreement.
While the governor said he didn’t want to see the option of an emergency manager exercised, he did not rule out the possibility of an emergency manager taking over control. He did, however, reemphasize his preference for a consent agreement for the city.
“Let’s have it so the city can keep running the city,” he told the crowd. “I’m going to keep loudly proposing a consent agreement and what that consent agreement should say.”
“We need to have the city place more focus on financial responsibility,” continued Snyder. “Let’s put together an agreement. The thing about an agreement, you need someone on the other side to agree. We’re running out of time.”
Since its inception, Pancakes & Politics has grown to become the preeminent speakers’ forum where substantive topics are explored in-depth by those who contribute to the region’s business community and those seeking solutions to inspire its growth.
The next session of the four-part series will be April 26 at the Detroit Athletic Club and is titled “Urban Revitalization: Strengthening our Core Cities.” This panel will look at case studies from across the state for a robust discussion on what is necessary to strengthen the state’s largest cities.
The third session again moves to Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel on May 18 for the annual ‘Big Four’ event where the four regional leaders, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel come together to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the Southeast Michigan region.
The series concludes by returning to the DAC on June 15 for its season- ending session.
Now in its seventh season, Pancakes & Politics is presented in association with Buick, Comcast Business Class, Strategic Staffing Solutions and Real Times Media. Additional event sponsors include medallion sponsors HAP and Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP and corporate contributors including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, PNC, Quicken Loans and UHY LLP.
Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased online by visiting www.michronicle.com or calling (313) 963-5522.
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