Keeping Out-Of-Staters in Michigan

I was born here in Michigan and raised, the vast majority of my family is here. Understanding why anyone either leaves or stays within Michigan begins with understanding why previous generations located here in the first place. My father got on a bus alone from Little Rock, AK and came to Flint, MI within the week he was working for Ford, funny thing is he didnt like the job so he left Ford and got a job at GM the same week. The great migration north is what they called it, Southerners leaving for the Rust Belt in search of jobs aplenty. When I think about my life, and my opportunities or the lack thereof, I think about the necessities, at 34 im old enough now to realize the basics come first and all those luxuries such as "cool cities", a vibrant urban life, and plenty of people that compliment myself educationally and socially are just dreams here. It hurts, to know all that I have ever known I must forgo in order to give myself better opportunities, Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, we became so heavily dependent on the Auto industry that the collapse of that single industry took thousands of jobs and a significant portion of the tax base along with it. I used to keep a list of friends I had that lived here then moved elsewhere more out of envy then any logical reason, but I gave up on that it was getting too long and arduous to keep up with. Not only were they leaving the state, but this entire region of the nation. Im not sure those I know of who left even knew greener grass was on the horizon,I think they just assumed anything is better then so little here. I could play the blame game, whose at fault for the demise of an entire state? A one state depression, politicians? young talent that wanted the swank of New York or the heat of Florida over Michigan's snow? I dont know, and im so exhausted just trying to keep afloat to even care anymore. All I know is anyone I knew that was intelligent and driven eventually made their way to the exit and few return. So now I am faced with either being unfullfilled in a state that is culturally and economically 20th century or facing the reality that the future is now, not some distant reality to be realized, my life is passing me by, and I am becoming keenly aware that while time doesnt stop for others, I guess that applies to me as well. I would love to stay near my family, my folks are getting elderly, I would love to know they will be well off, but I would also like to give my due diligience to my own life, not out of selfishness, but out of a sense of justice, I went to college and graduated to find myself under employed and willing to work hard for so much less. Where is the fair and balanced in that? I have come to believe we are moved along in this world by forces much larger then ourselves, here in Michigan the tides of change are so massive and so strong is it any wonder so many of our young talent so readily abandon this state in the hopes that if they just waited long enough, it will get better, life is short so im told. I dont want to reach an age where I regret not making better decisions sooner.

I am a generation x (43). I was born and raised in Michigan. I lived in MN for 5 years and CO for 3.5 coming back to Detroit in between. I have been back to MI for 1.5 now and just not enjoying it. I have never seen a government (local and state) so hell bent on destruction. Once my daughter graduates from HS in 1.5 years, I'm gone. Not coming back this time.

I agree. I moved here to go to grad school at the University of Michigan, which is a great school. But there's no way I'll be staying. In fact, if I had known more about Michigan's economy and state government, I would have accepted UPenn's offer instead. My wife has been hanging on at an underpaid, month to month job here. We almost lost her health coverage due to Michigan's backwards anti-gay marriage amendment. We bought a house before the market dropped, and now we're saddled with it.

Michigan legislators are afraid to do anything to preserve funds for education or services because they were terrorized by recall campaigns in the 1980s. Without more taxes, I don't see how even the University of Michigan can continue its tradition of affordable, high-quality education for Michigan students. Even a graduated income tax instead of the flat tax we have now would be a great improvement, but given the dynamics in the legislature, that will never happen. Michigan's recall and referendum system is as deeply flawed as California's. Why would young people want to stay in a state where it's considered acceptable to amend the constitution by a simple majority vote to discriminate against people?

Good luck in the new series. I'm a GenY'er who just QUIT my job in pursuit of independent contract work--all in Michigan. There are a lot of factors weighing in on these decisions. Thanks for focus!