Why is the state of Michigan in such an economic mess? Democrats’ destructive policies, union-mentality, auto industry-killing government-imposed emission standards – and Jennifer Granholm. Thankfully, Granholm has left the building (I believe she’s in California, no doubt helping to accelerate that state’s demise). But she was governor of Michigan for eight years, more than enough time to do significant socialist damage.
 
One of her legacies was the promotion of (useless) green technology business. And now that she’s gone, Michigan taxpayers are left holding the bill: State Taxpayers May Eat $1.6 Million Loan for Defunct Green Bus Company

(story from Michigan Capitol Confidential)

 
In 2009 Granholm touted Fisher Coachworks, an electric bus manufacturer in Flint, as one of the promising new green technologies that would be part of Michigan’s future. Fisher, which got a hefty loan from Michigan taxpayers, is now bankrupt. Looks like “Green” may not be so promising after all:

James Hohman, assistant director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said some green energy companies wouldn’t make it without government aid.
 
“Granholm opened the floodgates for any green business to get state money,” Hohman said. “This is her legacy. I think it is an important piece of the legacy that the businesses you are picking to win and whose business plans you support with state tax money wind up being big losers. That says some of these green energy business plans are likely to be facades held up with state support.”