LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is being criticized by Republicans for spending time overseas in Europe while the state continues to have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

Whitmer, a Democrat, has been in Germany and Italy.

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“While Michigan faces some of [the] highest unemployment rates in the nation, Whitmer is trying to rack up as many sky miles as possible while she still has the state credit card,” State Sen. Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) said on X. “And she wonders why we don’t want to give her an $88 billion dollar budget.”

Michigan has the seventh highest unemployment rate in the country at 5% as of December. Michigan hasn’t been below 5% for unemployment since August 2024. The national average was 4.4% in December.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) put out an email about Whitmer’s overseas trip.

“Governor Gretchen Whitmer transitions Michigan’s ongoing European investment mission from Germany to Italy, continuing Team Michigan’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships, attract new investment, and reinforce the state’s leadership in defense, manufacturing, and national security,” the press release stated.