LANSING – Despite ongoing economic woes and a major budgetary and fiscal battle in 2007, Michigan was awarded one of the highest rankings among the states in the annual Government Performance Project conducted by the Washington. D.C.-based Pew Center for the States. Michigan’s government was ranked with a B+ grade, the highest ranking of any of the Midwest States and lower than just three other states.
Utah, Virginia and Washington were the only states that drew higher scores, with all three being ranked A-. Delaware, Georgia, Missouri and Texas were also ranked B+, and most states were ranked in the B category with the lowest ranked states in the C category.
Overall the Great Lakes states did well in the rankings, with Illinois the lowest with a C grade, Indiana a solid B and Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio all at B-.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm was asked to appear at a Pew Center briefing on the rankings.
The ranking for Michigan acknowledged the struggles the state has faced with ongoing economic woes and the “Battle of Lansing” that took place a year ago to increase taxes and resolve the state’s budget. Despite that, the ranking said, the state’s government has shown surprising “strength and suppleness” in its management.
The ranking gave an A grade to the state on providing information, praising especially the state’s website, and an A- on infrastructure (even though it said that various state buildings are languishing in various stages of “dilapidation”), and a B+ on working with people.
The state ranked lowest, C+, in terms of money, especially the lack of an overall structural balance.
In a press release, Granholm said she appreciated the recognition that “even in tight budget times, we have made improvements in the way we operate state government.”
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