The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is pleased to host monthly Issues & Ideas Luncheons in Lansing. These luncheons, which feature experts on a diverse array of subjects, offer a forum that enhances and broadens the policy debate to include theoretical and philosophical ideals-and suggestions for achieving them.

JULY ISSUES & IDEAS LUNCHEON

“Oakland County Government: Streamlining and Privatizing Its Way into the 21st Century”

Too many public officials—at all levels of government—believe that economic growth is the result of lavish government spending and costly programs. Yet it would be difficult to find a city, county, state, or nation anywhere that spent its way into prosperity. So what did Michigan’s Oakland County do right to become America’s second-most affluent county?

Join us as Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson explains how his administration’s twin policies of privatization and technological innovation have helped spur an economic boom by providing quality, efficient services at a lower cost. Over the past decade, the county’s business-friendly climate has resulted not only in the second-lowest county tax burden on business and residents in Michigan, but also in a coveted AAA bond rating, a resounding vote of confidence from Wall Street investment professionals.

L. Brooks Patterson was first elected Oakland County Executive in 1992 and was overwhelmingly re-elected to his third four-year term in 2000. Oakland County has a $533 million budget and a staff of more than 4,400 county employees.

The luncheon begins promptly at 12:00 noon. Please make reservations for yourself and any guests by 5 PM on July 23, 2002, by calling the Mackinac Center at (989) 631-0900 or send your e-mail to: rsvp@mackinac.org.