'Pure Michigan' Dropped From Right-To-Work Ads

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan is halting the use of the "Pure Michigan" logo in ads touting the state's new right-to-work law.

A Michigan Economic Development Corp. official told lawmakers Thursday that the agency is re-evaluating the use of the award-winning tourism logo in economic development ads.

The state has been using the brand to market economic development for more than a year. But the decision to refer to the right-to-work law and Pure Michigan in a January ad in the Wall Street Journal struck a nerve with Democrats and others.

Talking to WWJ Neweradio 950 last month, Jessica Tramontana, with "Progress Michigan," said the popular Pure Michigan brand should not be used for political purposes.

"No matter where you lay on the right-to-work issue, abusing the Pure Michigan campaign in order to push a political agenda, to me, is abhorrent," Tramontana said.

A full-page print ad, titled, 'What happens when Michigan makes history,' contained the following text: "It's a new day for business in Michigan. Michigan is the newest Right-to-Work state. This once-in a generation transformation has Michigan poised to become a preferred place to do business. Michigan has also redesigned incentive programs, streamlined regulatory processes, approved legislation to eliminate personal property taxes and launched a new flat 6% business tax, giving the state its most competitive position in decades. The perfect storm of opportunity, resources and passion is Pure Michigan."

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has denied knowledge of the ad before it ran and has said he wouldn't have emphasized right-to-work as much.

MORE: Brouhaha Over 'Pure Michigan' Right-To-Work Ad

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