Snyder to address business leaders on 2012 plans

By Rick Pluta    

Governor Rick Snyder will follow his State of the State speech Wednesday with another speech Friday to business leaders. Immigration policy is expected to play a prominent role in his talk.  

Governor Snyder announced in his State of the State address that he's forged an alliance with unions and businesses to lobby Congress to relax some immigration laws. Snyder wants to keep educated immigrants in the country. 

Mike Finney is the C-E-O of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and one of the governor's top advisers on business issues. He said right now immigration rules force out many potential entrepreneurs after they earn advanced degrees from Michigan colleges and universities.

"It seems only logical that we would at least create opportunities for them to offer up that intellect to help grow businesses here in this country and, of course, in the state of Michigan."

Finney said the governor also wants to improve efforts to match workers with the skills they need to land a good job.

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