Rick Snyder tiptoes onto national scene

For Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, it was a bold move.

He asked the legislature to pass a resolution urging Congress to initiate an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring the federal government to balance its budget.

It is an old idea. But for Snyder, who eschews national politics, it was his version of outspoken. He made the comments in his annual state-of-the-state address.

It comes four months after the governor told the Associated Press he hopes he is “a reasonable model for people to look at across the country."

Unlike his colleagues among Republican governors, Snyder rarely wades into national political waters. Nevertheless, some say he could become more active after he dispenses with challenger Mark Schauer, his Democratic challenger, in November’s governor’s race.  That appears an all-but-certain outcome.

No one would dispute that Michiganians are better off than when Snyder took office in January of 2011.

He carefully avoided specifics in his state-of-the-state address, but called for tax relief and more spending on roads  and schools. Details will come as he presents his budget in the coming weeks.