In addition to the grave health concerns surrounding COVID-19, the global pandemic is wreaking economic havoc on communities around the world. While nothing is as important as the health and well-being of our neighbors, the long-term impact of COVID-19 on local economies should not be ignored – especially as it relates to the education of our children.

As school superintendents across the country try to figure out how best to educate students via distance learning, they must also start preparing for the next school year amidst great uncertainty surrounding budgets. Economists are predicting billions of dollars in decreased tax revenues in the state of Michigan as a result of the current recession—and that’s going to have a dramatic impact on state funding for schools, roads and other critical infrastructure.

On this episode of the Purposeful Pitch, former Michigan State Senator John Proos joins my colleague, Clare Liening, and I for an informative discussion on state budgets. We take a look behind the curtain at the state budget process, the grim reality facing businesses, nonprofits, schools and other organizations, and the tough decisions that have to be made in developing the next state budget.

Senator Proos is an experienced former legislator with over two decades of public service at both the federal and state levels – including serving in the Michigan House of Representatives and most recently in the Michigan Senate. He served on appropriations committees for 12 of his 14 years in public service, so he’s more than qualified to talk about the state budget process and the challenges that lie ahead.

Today, Proos is the CEO of JP4 Government Solutions, providing strategic counsel to corporate, manufacturing and not-for-profit organizations seeking to increase productivity while decreasing the uncertainty and burden of regulations.

To continue the conversation or learn more about Lambert’s Education & Social Impact practice, contact Joe DiBenedetto at [email protected].