Dinner guests scheduled

Political satirists Mo Rocca and P.J. O’Rourke will entertain attendees at the 2010 West Michigan Policy Forum dinner Sept. 16. The duo will engage in a point-counterpoint exchange that has been created especially for WMPF guests, according to Jared Rodriguez, director of the policy forum.

Rocca is a sought-after satirical news correspondent who spent four seasons on “The Daily Show with John Stewart.” Currently, he can be seen serving up his off-beat commentary on “CBS Sunday Morning.” Joining Rocca will be fellow political satirist and critically acclaimed best-selling author P.J. O’Rourke. Both Rocca and O’Rourke are frequent panelists on National Public Radio’s game show: “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me.”

“Rocca and O’Rourke provide a diversion to our hard-hitting forum agenda, serving up a much lighter fare of commentary for our dinner guests,” Rodriguez said.

Discussions scheduled during the forum include a review of Michigan’s budget spending priorities, a look at Michigan’s infrastructure and international trade opportunities, a review of how some states are streamlining government services and a discussion of trends in education and what is working in other states.

Leading up to the September forum, co-chairs and members of the WMPF  steering committee took part in a series of discussions with business leaders in Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Traverse City, Holland and Muskegon.