For many years prior to the 90s, Michigan s unemployment rate was consistently above the national average month after month after month. Now Michigan has come to expect just the opposite. Just last week, the April numbers came in at 3 percent almost a full percentage point below the national rate. In fact, Michigan s unemployment rate has been below the national rate for 61 months running. We are well on our way to eliminating entirely the Single Business Tax, and at the same time steadily reducing the personal income tax.
Welfare reform is another major success.
Since 1992, the number of cases has decreased by more than 60 percent, compared to an average decrease of 40 percent nationally. I know that at the start of the 90s, many of you were concerned about unemployment taxes for employers. Then look at education. The education of our children has been and remains the state s highest priority. And it s not just the amount we spend.