Michigan’s economy is a common topic in the media as well as everyday discussion. Many people are interested in what will happen in Michigan’s future and how long it will take to turn around some of the state’s negative trends.

Robert Daddow, Deputy Oakland County Executive, will predict Michigan’s future during his increasingly-renowned presentation, “A Perfect Storm,” at Loosemoore Auditorium in the DeVos Center on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

This speech is a study on the financial condition of the state and local governments and the general state economy.

Sound bites tell the public what a unique fiscal and economic problem Michigan is facing, including high unemployment, large deficits, reduced government services and higher taxes. Daddow says these statements are optimistic and do not even begin to acknowledge the depths of the fiscal problems Michigan will face in the coming months and years.

Daddow is a CPA and a seasoned expert on governmental finance and accounting. As an adjunct scholar for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, he has researched and written on a variety of state issues such as the financial decline of the Big Three auto makers, the distressed city of Ecorse and the drawn-out budget debates becoming commonplace at the state capitol.

Daddow’s presentation brings to light issues rarely covered by the media and synthesizes many national economic and fiscal problems to demonstrate how they affect our state and local governments and the job environment students will face after graduation.

“This event will give students and professionals an insight into the state budgeting process that many people do not see,” says Will Hibler, a student at GVSU who is aiding in organizing the event. Hibler first heard about Daddow in a Detroit News article, “The bell is tolling for Michigan.” “I think Mr. Daddow has a lot of unique views on government consolidation and other issues, so I believe he will have a lot to add to the discussion with local professionals, as well as students.”

With the mid-term elections less than a month away, students should find this event not only informational but also interesting.

“Finance and accounting are extremely important in the (state budgeting) process because the budget and the overall fiscal position of the state affects the services the state can offer, as well as the amount of funding that flows back down to smaller governmental units,” Hibler said. “We have all heard the unemployment figures, the funding cuts at schools, police and libraries and the reduced services from these departments. What Daddow says is that we haven’t heard the depth of the fiscal, economic and financial problems behind these stories, and that the situation could get worse.”

Daddow was appointed Deputy County Executive in October 2000. Some of his numerous accomplishments include: resolving a $24 million operating short-fall in fiscal year 1993, the development of the Community Corrections Program and involvement in roughly a dozen areas of privatization thus saving the county $2.5 million annually.

The event should last about two hours and will cover the topics of government, accounting and finance, along with discussions on the general economy. It will be free of charge and all majors and class standings are encouraged to attend.

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