MIDLAND — The Mackinac Center for Public Policy this evening will continue its annual practice of counting the new initiatives proposed by Michigan’s governor and comparing the totals to State of the State speeches dating back to 1969.

"Counting the new proposals gives us a benchmark of how receptive a governor believes Michigan’s citizens will be to new programs and policies," said Michael D. LaFaive, the Mackinac Center’s director of fiscal policy. "Tabulating these proposals gives us a basis for determining if a governor’s agenda will result in more government or less," he added.

Information will include a total count of proposed initiatives that expand government and proposed initiatives that limit government. In 2005, Gov. Granholm recommended seven expansions of government, down from a record-breaking 22 in 2004.

According to Center research, the fewest proposals to expand government in a gubernatorial election year came in 1974, when Gov. William Milliken offered none. The highest number offered in a gubernatorial election year was in 1990, when Gov. James Blanchard recommended 19. The highest number of proposals to limit government in a gubernatorial election year was three: Gov. Milliken in 1978, and Gov. John Engler in 1994.

MACKINAC CENTER STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH THIS EVENING:

Michael D. LaFaive, Director of Fiscal Policy: (989) 631-0900

Diane S. Katz, Director of Science, Environment and Technology Policy: (313) 378-6986

Jack McHugh, Legislative Analyst: (517) 749-1129