An op-ed piece written by State Rep. John C. Stewart, R-Plymouth who also is chairman of the Higher Education House Appropriations Subcommittee, mentioned the need for the state to increase it support of state colleges and universities as well as K-12. He cited Wayne State as one of the examples of universities contributing to the economic quality of life in the state. \"The vital research being conducted in our state universities, such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University, is being implemented in the marketplace. In the last five years, nearly 95 companies, which are engaged in the life sciences, automotive technology and homeland security, were launched as a result of the creation of the Michigan Technological Tri-Corridor, a partnership between universities and private companies and research institutions.\"