GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - Leaders of West Michigan's business and political community concluded a two-day policy forum Thursday with votes on their top priorities.
- Number one on the list: Building the new international trade crossing bridge, proposed by Governor Rick Snyder.
- Number two was the related issue of improving transportation infrastructure by maximizing federal matching funds.
- Number three: Developing common "K-12 Higher Ed metrics that better prepare students for Michigan's future workforce needs."
- Number four was dedicating funds in the state budget for early childhood education.
- Number five was supporting policies that enable local government consolidation.
Not making the top five was Right to Work legislation, which would ban compulsory union membership at some employers. Governor Snyder said Thursday at the Policy Forum he was glad the new bridge was the group's top priority. He was also glad Right to Work was not a top priority, since it's not one of his.
"Right to work is not on my agenda because it's a divisive issue and I think there are other priorities that I think got reflected here," Snyder told reporters.