LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Following the latest State of the State under Governor Gretchen Whitmer, numerous members of the political minority responded.
Much of her address focused on Michigan’s work in the realm of the state’s economy, education, and equal opportunity for its many residents.
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“We composed this record thanks to the people in this room and every Michigander at home,” the Governor said at the address. “Groups only succeed when all its members are thriving, and lately, Michigan has been playing in harmony.”
2024 gubernatorial priorities.
In 2023, the state focused on reducing costs for the youngest of all public school students, while this year she added focus to Michigan’s teenagers and beyond by pledging “every Michigander can count on free education from pre-k through community college.”
“But we know education in Michigan needs work,” said Gov. Whitmer. “We want student outcomes to exceed expectations. We need to better prepare students for success after they graduate, whether they enter the workforce, community college, trade school, or a 4-year university. There is no “correct” path. It all depends on the person. What we can do is get them ready.”
Gov. Whitmer focused on addressing increased costs while admitting that she alone could not “solve global inflation.”
“What we can do is make life more affordable by lowering costs on the biggest items in your monthly budget,” she said. “When your paycheck hits your bank account, you know your largest and most important expenses: housing, child care, transportation, education, utilities, and food.”
House minority responds.
On the topic of education, State Representative Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) shared his mutual concern but differing opinions on how to approach the state’s current circumstance.
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“While I appreciate the Governor’s optimistic outlook on the State of our State, there are significant disparities between her rhetoric and the realities reflected in data,” said Rep. Tisdel in a statement. “Our education system is letting kids down, and Michigan’s high school graduation rate ranks a dismal 43rd in the nation. Personal incomes in Michigan, which rank 39th nationally, are at their lowest point since the Great Recession.”
According to the report from the Growing Michigan Together Council, Michigan now ranks 49th in the country for population growth.
“As I represent my community in Greater Rochester, I’m ready to work across the aisle with Gov. Whitmer to help address these most critical issues,” State Rep. Tisdel added. among som
Energy priorities fizzle out among some listeners.
Gov. Whitmer also encouraged the whole legislative chamber to support the state’s ongoing transition to an all-electric, union made future,” also touting the new energy legislation that was passed this term which makes the state more dependent on “clean energy ” within the next decade.
State Representative Mike Harris, (R-Waterford) expressed discontent with the energy laws.
“She triumphantly celebrated extreme energy mandates passed by Democrats that will jack up electricity prices for the families of Michigan and put all our eggs in the basket of unreliable energy like wind and solar,” he said in a statement. “In the dark and cold of winter, people want to know their lights and heat will stay on at home. They want to know that they can afford their electricity bills. The governor praising a broken electric grid is an insult to the people of Michigan who will be stuck with higher costs and more power outages.”
Republicans hold applause for the majority, leadership responds.
Michigan House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) expressed his criticisms for the lack of strategy shared during the address.
“Budgets are about priorities, and Gretchen Whitmer has failed to prioritize our crumbling local roads in her massive budget,” Rep. Hall said in a statement. “Five years into office, the governor who ran on fixing the roads still has no solution for our infrastructure needs, so all she can do is brag about going into debt for a program that does nothing for the county roads and city streets that are in the worst condition. Her own population council highlighted that ‘Without action, infrastructure outcomes are projected to decline.”
For other priorities shared during the speech, see here.
