Tourism Subsidy Raises Concerns

Although Gov. Rick Snyder drew applause when he announced an increased subsidy for the Pure Michigan advertising campaign during his State of the State speech Wednesday night, Fiscal Policy Director Mike LaFaive said the move concerns him, according to The Detroit News.

LaFaive wrote about these concerns last September, pointing out several reasons to question the appropriation. Chief among his points are that the tourism industry is unwilling to pay for promoting itself, and the consultant who claims a return of $2.23 for every $1 spent on the program is unwilling to release the methodology or sources used in their “study.”

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