I had made a decision early on that we were going to do the right things and that if they worked we were going to be very successful. And if for some reason they didn't, all the claims and the protestations and the excuses wouldn't make any difference.
I just have a position that any child that's in a failing school should be able to get out, or be in a position to have that school fixed.
I kept telling everyone I wasn't going to Washington to stay. I go to visit.
Given the professionalism of Michigan teachers, I think they're not teaching because of the financial rewards.
Manufacturers account for nearly 60 percent of all industrial research and development.
The parent knows instinctively that if they're working and setting an example for their child that means that child is more likely to be in school, more likely to stay out of trouble and more likely to complete their education.
Despite these hurdles, manufacturers in the U.S. and their employees are doing remarkable work.
I've gone from being one of the youngest governors to now the longest consecutive serving governor in the country.
I have an old saying that the harder I work, the luckier I get.
The greatest luck that I've had has been the ability to find men and women who came into my administration who worked with me and brought extraordinary talents that we were able to take full advantage of.
The current Michigan Constitution was written in 1961 and '62.
I created no authority that wasn't already there under the constitution.
I expect my next job to be outside government.
Believe me, I'm not going to try to get into testing.
I think we've got outstanding teaching in Michigan classrooms.
I care about the children of Detroit.
As governor, I learned the importance of having an agenda.
