As you look around the country there are still a significant number of states where their whole school debate is over school funding and we've been focused on the quality debate for most of the '90s. John Engler More Quotes by John Engler More Quotes From John Engler Sometimes it is better to begin the journey, to get under way, then it is to sit back and wait until such time that you're convinced that all conditions are perfect and that there'll be no surprises along the route. John Engler journey waiting perfect Nobody gets any guarantees. John Engler guarantees Given the professionalism of Michigan teachers, I think they're not teaching because of the financial rewards. John Engler teaching teacher thinking I care about the children of Detroit. John Engler detroit care children As governor, I learned the importance of having an agenda. John Engler governors agendas importance 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. John Engler mean children school You win by working hard, making tough decisions and building coalitions. John Engler decision winning work I don't put labels on myself. John Engler labels I expect my next job to be outside government. John Engler next government jobs 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. John Engler differences decision successful 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. John Engler able children school I kept telling everyone I wasn't going to Washington to stay. I go to visit. John Engler I'm a compassionate conservative. John Engler conservative compassionate The asbestos problem impacts everyone. John Engler asbestos impact problem While America's infrastructure needs are substantial, there is no reason to delay completion of the highway bill. Every day of delay means jobs lost, investment opportunities missed and growth sacrificed. John Engler opportunity jobs mean Michigan is also the only industrial state that has a AAA credit rating. John Engler michigan rating credit I've gone from being one of the youngest governors to now the longest consecutive serving governor in the country. John Engler governors gone country 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. John Engler able luck men We didn't pass any constitutional amendments that affected the executive branch while I was governor. John Engler executive-branch amendments branches Very few charter schools are being created in some of the best school districts in the state. If you're an educational innovator, that isn't where the greatest need is. John Engler educational school needs
