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Tom S - Thursday, December 03, 2009   TRAILS Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (184 votes cast) I recently traveled to France on a horseback riding tour. My wife and I discovered that most of Europe is interconnected by trails; hiking, horseback, and even some motorized. The key was the interconnection, you can go anywhere "offroad". It was unbielievable the co-operation between the State and landowners that made the entire system work. It would take a change in the tresspass law to make landowners exempt from liability, it could be done. A travelers fee could be charged to allow access which would fund the system not unlike ORV tax. Could be a big boost for tourism.

Tom S - Thursday, December 03, 2009   Toll roads Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (172 votes cast) I drive I69 and I75 alot around Flint. I see alot of Canadian trucks on our highways, coming and going. How about a toll paid by commercial traffic to cross our state. We could charge at the end of the Bluewater, Ambassador and Mackinaw bridges and maybe other points. Charge the out of state trucks not the locals. Alot of this traffic never spends a dime in Michigan but we are crucial to their most direct route. What would be their option? Use the fact we are a pennisula to our advantage. Might help equalize NAFTA. Undoughtly it would take a major change to import laws however -- imagine the revenue for Michigan. Other States have toll roads, why not a Michigan version? Just maybe some companies would rather locate here than pay the fee. Michigan needs to roll up our sleeves and do what is neccssary to survive.

Stu Bradley - Thursday, December 03, 2009   Use Michigan's local Economic Clubs to assist the State Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.1 (139 votes cast) We have many local Economic Clubs in the State: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Traverse City, Maquette, etc. Each club is locally organized, funded and managed. There are many thousands of members that meet weekly or monthly to discuss economic issues that effect our State. If we could "informally connect" these clubs they could share resources and make each club more efficient. Also, guest speakers could be shared and we could even set up a telecommuniation system to "beam" special programs to each of the clubs. Club members represent a good cross section of the State's economic base and by combining these resources it would increase their effectiveness in presenting Michigan's vision of the future.

James Wardlaw - Wednesday, December 02, 2009   Mowing roads Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (146 votes cast) We should discontinue mowing county road shoulders and highway esplanades for the following reasons Pro's 1.Our natural flora is beautiful and would allow increased native creature habitat,and enhance tourism 2.We would save fuel,maintenance,and labor. 3.Current employees would be retained for many other needed repairs. 4.We would not waste money on the center line fences I now see being built 5.Naturally some cut back would be required, but the flora up to edge would give an illusion of speed that would slow traffic. Especially on county roads 6. Thick growth would virtually prevent cross-over accidents. 7. I don't have the numbers,but I suspect that we would save millions of dollars on fuel. Cons There might be increased deer collisions,but I doubt it. It may impede snow removal,but I doubt that also.

Charles Fleetham - Monday, November 30, 2009   Time for a Blue Economy in Michigan Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.5 (310 votes cast) There are substitutes for oil, but there are none for fresh water. Only 2.5% of the world’s water supply is fresh water, and the global supply is declining due to increasing population, urbanization, and climate change. Recently, Peter Brabeck, the chairman of Nestle, said, “I am convinced that, under present conditions and with the way water is being managed, we will run out of water long before we run out of fuel.” Serendipitously, 20% of the world’s fresh water is located in the Great Lakes and now, Michigan has an extraordinary opportunity to create the world’s first water-based economy. A Blue Economy is the logical successor to Michigan’s auto-centric economy, which is collapsing after a hundred year run. A Blue Economy could fill vacant factories with manufacturers of water conservation and treatment equipment. It could erect new factories for water hungry food and beverage processors and semi conductor companies, like Intel and Texas Instruments. These industries will need skilled knowledge workers and Michigan public universities can develop the necessary curriculum and operational training programs. It could build the world’s center of water expertise and technological development. Michigan has more than an abundant supply of clean fresh water to recommend itself for this daunting task. It has a surplus of engineering/manufacturing talent, and it has a largely unemployed auto based workforce hungry for jobs. It is a signatory to the Great Lakes Compact, guaranteeing a secure supply of water for the foreseeable future. Other states have expressed an interest in Michigan’s water, but Michigan can bring thirsty people and businesses to its “water wonderland.”