Response to the State of the State Speech

I have dedicated my life and my career to public service, working to improve the lives of all residents in my district and around the state, no matter their race, income level, or zip code. As the first Black woman to lead the Senate Appropriations Committee, and as a part of the first Democratic trifecta in 40 years, the stakes are higher than ever before. It is my privilege and opportunity to shepherd a budget through the process that delivers for the people of Michigan — from 5-year-olds to 85-year-olds. Our first budget delivered historic levels of funding for education, talent, and affordable housing — transformational investments in communities that have been overlooked for far too long.

Tonight, we look at the year ahead and aim to continue that work. The governor talked a lot about policies ‘for all,’ and I strongly echo that sentiment. Because the flip side of that is the fact that for too long, Michigan elected officials were only governing ‘for some.’ With the new leadership in Lansing, we have and will continue to do things differently. State revenues, political winds and hot topics may fluctuate, but our values and priorities will remain constant. That will continue to be clear as the policies and budget investments we make this year stay laser-focused on leveling the playing field for all Michiganders. 

Michigan State Sen. Sarah Anthony, Democrat from Lansing on the State of the State Speech

As she auditions for the national stage, Gov. Whitmer played all her greatest hits. But even all strung together in a primetime performance, her set-list clearly has no cohesive theme or plan for actually solving the problems in our state.

The governor’s own hand-picked population council, which she touted tonight, issued a scathing report illuminating the failures of the Whitmer administration. First and foremost, she has no bold, coordinated economic growth plan. She loves to highlight one-off project announcements and ear-pleasing policy statements that will raise her national profile. But as Michiganders’ incomes fall to 39th in the nation and people move out of our state, we need a real strategy. Gov. Whitmer hasn’t led on this urgent need. She’s at least following my lead in calling for a tax credit to incentivize research and development careers in our state; spurring innovation should be a part of Michigan’s comprehensive growth strategy.

Meanwhile, the governor and Democrat legislators have mindlessly spent the people’s money without any strategy. They even raised the income tax on Michiganders while pursuing wasteful, directionless spending on politically motivated pork projects. Budgets are about priorities, and Gretchen Whitmer has failed to prioritize our crumbling local roads in her massive budget. 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.’

Students’ education is also in decline. As the governor’s council noted, seven out of 10 Michigan students can’t read or do math proficiently, even as Democrats’ budget spent a record $21.5 billion on K-12 schools. Yet the governor has no plan to address student performance, and she has undermined education standards to reward her union boss allies.

The equally divided Michigan House of Representatives is in shared power, and the people’s elected officials need to work together to craft a plan and solve our state’s greatest challenges. Now is the time for Gov. Whitmer to do her job and work with the Legislature on the issues that matter most.

Tonight, the governor talked more about the Detroit Lions than any substantive plan to solve our state’s problems. When it comes to actually helping the people of Michigan, she is all roar and no bite.

House Republican Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, News release

Groups hail Gov. Whitmer for lowering costs for Michigan consumers through clean energy

New clean energy, energy efficiency laws will create jobs; represent historic shift for state

Lansing, Mich. – Groundbreaking energy legislation passed by Democrats in the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will put money back into families’ pockets, make it easier for farmers and communities to reap the benefits of clean energy projects, create jobs and reduce dangerous pollution that causes asthma, lung disease and other deadly diseases.

That’s what a diverse coalition of nonprofit advocacy organizations said tonight as Whitmer highlighted the law in her annual State of the State address.

“Moving to 100% clean energy by 2040 will create local jobs, help secure new tax revenue for communities for police, fire and roads and put an end to the status quo of Michigan sending $18 billion to other states and countries to import dirty and dangerous coal, gas and oil to power our homes and businesses,” said Derrell Slaughter, Michigan Clean Energy Advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Governor Whitmer and Democrats in the Legislature are doing the right thing.”

The coalition hailed Whitmer as a national leader on clean energy, and pledged to beat back any efforts to undermine the law, while asking the Governor to fully fund the effort to move Michigan to cleaner, renewable energy in her upcoming state budget proposal.

“Just this week, Michigan was cited as the second-worst state in the nation for power outages because big utilities haven’t been held accountable,” said Alexis Blizman, Legislative and Policy Director at the Ecology Center. “Michigan’s clean energy laws will help ensure a pathway for modernizing our electrical grid and lowering costs for consumers. While we applaud Gov. Whitmer and Democratic lawmakers for making Michigan a leader in clean energy, we realize that there is much more work ahead to ensure equitable clean energy for all Michiganders.”

According to the recently-released 2023 Utility Performance Report from the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, the state continues to rank the worst in the Midwest when it comes to residential customers paying the highest rates for the worst electric utility service.

Under the legislation, Michigan will achieve a 100% clean energy standard by 2040, including increasing access to rooftop solar ten-fold and giving us the most robust energy efficiency standards in the country, while helping to address energy affordability, health and safety for many low-income households.

“Finally, to protect every breath you take and our Great Lakes, we enacted a historic clean energy package,” Whitmer said.

“We applaud Gov. Whitmer and Democrats in the Legislature for lowering the cost of our utility bills, and ensuring we have cleaner air to breathe and water to drink by transitioning to clean, renewable energy,” said John Freeman, Executive Director, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. “Michigan is leading the nation and it’s a new day where we are creating jobs, opportunities and generating clean energy.”

Measuring the cost of different forms of energy, an analysis found that clean, renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, are cheaper than coal and natural gas, even without subsidies.

“Michigan health professionals applaud the state’s new clean energy and efficiency laws that will improve the health of all Michigan residents, especially those living closest to fossil fuel pollution,” said Dr. Elizabeth (Lisa) Del Buono, Executive Director of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “Clean renewable energy means cleaner air which in turn saves lives and avoids costly medical bills, while affordable and reliable electricity is essential to protecting health!”

“Leading businesses supported the decisive clean energy action by Gov. Whitmer and the state legislature last year because they know it will reduce costs, create jobs, clean the air, and ensure Michigan will remain an industrial and manufacturing powerhouse long into the future,” said Alli Gold Roberts, senior director, state policy, at Ceres. “We celebrate the state’s new 100% clean energy standard, its responsible reforms to the permitting process, and other critical energy initiatives, and look forward to their many benefits for communities, ratepayers, the climate, and the Michigan economy.”

The following groups also expressed support for the governor’s remarks on clean energy: Michigan Environmental Council and Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

News release

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to put Michiganders first – lowering costs for families and small businesses, cleaning up our air and water, and protecting our health and children’s futures. Gov. Whitmer and legislative leaders made Michigan a national leader last year by passing historic clean energy laws that speed up the buildout of more affordable wind and solar, and weatherize homes to lower electric and gas bills – all with the highest worker standards in the country. Michigan is bucking the status quo where we pay the highest rates in the Midwest for the longest amount of time out of power in the Great Lakes region. Our clean energy future is here and in motion because of Governor Whitmer’s leadership.

News release from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters

“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer again showed tonight why she’s the most pro public education governor Michigan has ever seen. The governor’s plan to provide every student with universal free preschool and community college is an absolute game changer. It will transform our state’s education system, provide opportunities for every student — no matter their ZIP code — and make Michigan a top destination for families, employers and talent nationwide.

“Expanding pre-K to all children regardless of family income will ensure that every child can start their educational journey on the proper footing and receive the foundational skills they need to become curious and eager lifelong learners. Study after study shows that early childhood education can make a huge difference in a student’s long-term success. The governor’s plan for free, high-quality preschool for every Michigan child will make a monumental difference for kids now and for generations to come.

“Educators are also thrilled with Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to make community college free for every high school graduate. Whether it’s through preparing students for university or by providing them with cutting-edge career training for the jobs of tomorrow, our community colleges play a critical role in creating the educated and skilled workforce Michigan needs to attract great-paying jobs and investments from businesses.

“The Michigan Education Association looks forward to working with Gov. Whitmer, lawmakers from both parties, business and community leaders and others to enact and implement Gov. Whitmer’s universal preK-14 plan. Working together, we can reimagine how we do public education and create a high-quality universal preK-14 system that will put Michigan on the map internationally as a shining beacon of opportunity, and attract the next generation of great educators.”

News release from the Michigan Education Association

Tonight Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out plans that continue to build on the momentum of last year’s policy wins for Michiganders. With her proposed support for workers, families and caregivers, Gov. Whitmer has once again shown that the people of Michigan are at the heart of her vision for our state. And not only has she prioritized the people who already call Michigan home, she is making sure the state is a welcoming home for new residents, as well, as the state struggles with population growth.

The governor’s goal to make sure all high school graduates have free community college tuition is such a smart move when it comes to building a stronger state where younger people want to live. We know that postsecondary education is critical to getting the kind of jobs that provide livable wages, something sorely needed by the 20% of young adults in Michigan who are living in poverty. But right now, education and training opportunities after high school come at high costs that make them out of reach for many Michiganders—and create student debt for others. Free community college would help level the playing field, and it would definitely help young people in our state want to stay in our state. And her goal to expand access to Pre-K and child care will also ensure that kids start off their educational careers with the right foundations, too—all while removing additional financial barriers for families who already struggle to make ends meet.

Michigan has seen a historic amount of funding for housing over the last few years, and Gov. Whitmer’s plan for 10,000 homes is an exciting step in putting those resources to work in our communities. Everyone recognizes that the lack of affordable, quality housing is a critical barrier to Michigan’s growth and prosperity—there is an extreme shortage of rental homes in Michigan, and over 300,000 households are made up of renters with extremely low incomes. Safe, stable homes are especially important to children’s health and educational success as well as a strong workforce.

The governor also showed her commitment to Michigan’s families with her plan for a “Caring for MI Family Tax Credit,” which recognizes the critical need for caregivers in our state to be able to support their loved ones. Women—and in particular Black women—have an outsized role as family caregivers, which often leads to lost wages or gaps in employment. Over 20% of adult Michiganders provide regular care for a friend or family member with a health concern, and a tax credit like this will certainly help alleviate some of their challenges.

Tonight, the governor showed that the people of Michigan are still at the center of her work, and we’re excited that many of her plans are in line with what we’re seeing in our data and hearing from communities around the state. Some of the League’s priorities—such as a statewide plan for paid family leave—were not mentioned in tonight’s address, but we know the administration sees the value in them and we’ll continue to work alongside our partners to make them a reality for the hard-working families in our state.

Above all, it’s imperative that our state’s leaders create investments and policies that are equitable and targeted to those who have been left out of prosperity due to a history of racist, sexist and classist systems. Tonight, the governor made clear that she understands that priority.

News Release from the Michigan League for Public Policy

It’s no secret: Michigan is hands down the best place to live, to work, and to play. Governor Whitmer’s speech tonight put that front and center. Last year, the laws we passed re-established Michigan as a fair place for workers, a safe place for students, an equitable place for seniors and families, and a protected place for women. And we’ll keep that momentum going this year, enacting policies that lower people’s costs, grow their prosperity, and improve their quality of life. We are ready to work side by side with anyone who is focused on forging that future for the people who call Michigan home today, and for the ones who will choose to put down roots here tomorrow. Because we mean what we say: Michigan is the best place a person could choose to build their life.

News Release from Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids)

Working people were front and center tonight as the Governor celebrated the progress we’ve made towards making Michigan a workers’ rights state. Last year, the Whitmer administration and our pro-worker majorities in the Capitol passed history-making policies that will strengthen collective bargaining rights, make our tax system work for working people, and open up paths to the middle class through good-paying union jobs. 2023 was the year of labor, with workers from the auto industry to Hollywood winning record contracts because of the strength and solidarity of their unions. The year ahead looks even brighter as our leaders in Lansing renew their commitment to delivering the pro-worker agenda they promised.

News Release from AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber

Michigan’s current public education system is preparing our kids for the jobs of 50 years ago that don’t align with the growth of the knowledge economy. Only one-third of Michigan high school graduates are ‘ready for college,’ according to SAT scores. That’s why in the Launch Michigan framework we call for ensuring access to a meaningful high school diploma so that our students are prepared for opportunities for future education, training and the workforce.

We look forward to working alongside Gov. Whitmer and the Legislature to make sure all Michigan students can take advantage of free, high-quality pre-K and two years of free community college, to ensure every student is set up for success.

News Release from Launch Michigan

We’ve been putting people first this legislative session — Michiganders can continue to count on Democrats for smart legislation that improves their lives in tangible ways. We are fast becoming an opportunity-rich state, meaning it’s possible to ‘Make it in Michigan.’ We’re diligently working to uplift our state’s most vulnerable residents out of poverty and into prosperity.

This is our moment as lawmakers to make a positive impact on individuals and families for the better and for generations to come. Democrats are investing in what matters the most — the people of Michigan. From historic education and community development reinvestments, tax credits for working families, tax rollback for seniors, and energy savings, Democrats have begun to make up for 40 years of disinvestment. We will continue building a better future where residents can thrive and not just survive. The future of Michigan is about growth — growing the economy and good-paying jobs, more access to better education and putting more money back in households across the state.

News Release from Michigan Speaker of the House Joe Tate (D-Detroit)

As my mother says, you can’t keep robbing Peter to pay Paul. Legislators have a limited amount of taxpayer dollars they can use to fund public programs and services. While I love the idea of rewarding our hardworking family caregivers and giving every high school graduate the opportunity to have two free years at one of our community colleges, I’m troubled that we’re still pursuing the same trickle-down economic development strategies from previous administrations that give profitable companies millions in taxpayer-funded incentives while our communities are forced to contend with endless budget cuts to pay for those incentives. It’s hard to understand how we will make Michigan a more attractive place for young professionals and working families without substantial investments in the things that make cities worth living in: transit, parks, libraries, clean water, affordable housing, mental health care, and programs for seniors.

News Release from Fund MI Future, Executive Director MoReno Taylor II statement

It was an honor to hear the governor mention me during her State of the State speech — I have advocated endlessly to protect people’s reproductive rights, and while I’m proud of the strides we’ve made, our work isn’t done. This year, let’s also find ways to diminish poverty, making Michigan a more equitable and positive place for all to live, work and thrive. With focuses on affordable housing, education and better health care, we are on the right track to a better Michigan.

News Release from Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia

I am grateful to Governor Whitmer for her continued leadership on making life more affordable for Michiganders. From lowering costs for housing, cars, and prescription drugs, to affordable water which has been a priority for me my entire career, the Governor and the legislature will continue to get things done for Michiganders. I will continue to work with a growing number of public health, environmental, municipal, and county leaders across our state to make water bills more affordable while ensuring greater financial stability for our water infrastructure.

Additionally, as a mother of two young children, I appreciate her advocacy on making education for our youngest Michiganders more accessible and affordable.

I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Governor to lower costs and make Michigan a place where every family can thrive, regardless of how much money they have.

News Release, State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit)

The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration and Michigan Democrats are once again proving that they will fight for the needs of all Michiganders, especially when it comes to lowering housing costs, investing in education, and leading a national manufacturing renaissance. While Democrats are giving everyone the opportunity to make it in Michigan, Republicans are doing everything they can to stand in the way of progress.

Michigan Republicans have spent the last year embroiled in one controversy after another, with nothing to show for it, abandoning their constituents in favor of right-wing conspiracy theories and extremism. They are dead-set on implementing a MAGA agenda that will fail our state instead of creating a future that uplifts all Michiganders. While the Michigan GOP refuses to come to the table and to deliver for our people, Democrats will continue to serve our great state and get the job done, no matter what.

News Release from the Michigan Democratic Party

We all want to make Michigan a better place to live — but there is a much better path forward than the one Gov. Whitmer outlined in her State of the State address.

The governor and her Big Government central planners act like they are smarter than the people of Michigan, know how we all should live and how our money should be spent. They want to use more of your money to create new government programs, expand corporate welfare, and give tax breaks to people who can already afford expensive new electric cars.

Their elitist policies don’t do enough to help the millions of Michiganders who are battling inflation and just trying to build a better life for themselves and their families. We should instead focus on tried-and-true approaches that we know work — limiting the role of government, lowering taxes for everyone, improving rather than expanding existing student programs, and growing our state from the ground up.

News Release from State Sen. Thomas Albert R-Lowell

Over the last year, Gov. Whitmer prioritized politically motivated policies and refused to focus on the broader issues confronting people here at home.

Michigan is currently facing significant challenges; income levels of residents are falling below the national average and the cost of everyday living expenses are on the rise. Our communities are also struggling, with critical infrastructure, especially local roads and bridges, in need of urgent attention.

Building a thriving Michigan requires a commitment to safe, accessible healthcare; across-the-board tax cuts to make life more affordable; responsible budgeting that puts people first and focuses on critical infrastructure and improving the fundamentals in our education system.

News Release from State Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township)

I remain hopeful the governor will work this year in a bipartisan fashion to lower taxes and help families struggling with increasingly high costs— but the burden is on the Democrats to reach out and work with us. I am not going to play Charlie Brown and have Lansing Democrats yank away the bipartisan football yet again.

The Michigan people need us to find common ground on important issues facing them and the future of our state — including working together to improve education for all our students, focusing state funding on vital services and long-term investments like fixing our local roads, and allowing everyone to keep more of their money instead of using it to grow the size of state government.

When it comes to energizing our economy, we need to find ways to cut regulations and taxes to make us more competitive in attracting new talent, jobs and business investment — instead of more government red tape and taxpayer handouts to foreign corporations that are counterproductive and fail to achieve long-term positive results.

Michigan continues to decline under this governor, and we must work together to enact proven and pro-growth policies that can help turn around our state and improve the lives of all Michiganders.

News Release State Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe)

We were glad to hear the Governor acknowledge the state’s troubling trends – from lagging population growth to struggling education outcomes – and we share her optimism for the bright future of our Great Lakes State.

At the same time, we’re wary of the mixed messages, lack of details and the many ‘sounds great on paper’ ideas that raise serious questions about our state’s and taxpayers’ ability to afford them. Our shared future and building a stronger Michigan for all rely on bipartisanship and putting meaningful policy over politics, along with ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainable budgeting. Employers are ready to be part of the solution with a state ready and open for business and a competitive, stable landscape that can attract the good-paying jobs of today and the tomorrows to come.

We’re eager to work with Governor and Legislature to craft the pragmatic solutions that can and will move our state forward in an economically competitive and viable way. The Michigan Chamber is fully committed to that collaboration and cause.

News Release statement of Michigan Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jim Holcomb

We are pleased that Governor Whitmer focused on many policies impacting families across Michigan in her State of the State address. Dedicating more than a billion dollars to building and rehabilitating housing is a crucial step in helping to tackle the unaffordable housing crisis that is impacting every corner of the state of Michigan. Providing Pre-K and community college for all will ensure that every Michigander can achieve their goals, helping to level the playing field in a society that has too long favored the well-connected and wealthy. Lastly, providing a tax credit to families caring for an aging or sick relative will finally recognize that too many Michiganders must forego a salary to be able to stay home and provide for their loved ones.

We hope to continue to see policies and proposals roll out from the Whitmer administration to tackle the issues confronting many of our neighbors. From housing to infrastructure, the care economy, ethics, and transparency. Michigan can truly become a leader in putting working families first.

News Release statement from Progress Michigan Executive Director Sam Inglot

Governor Whitmer faces a crucial decision: should she tackle the housing and economic crisis that is rendering our state unaffordable for working-class individuals, or allow Michigan to remain stagnant and witness the departure of lifelong residents? Working-class communities, which form the heart and soul of Michigan, have been disproportionately affected by years of disinvestment. To rectify this situation, the Governor must make historic and widely supported investments in our communities, educational outcomes, and job opportunities. However, achieving this goal necessitates an overhaul of the outdated laws that have left our municipalities paralyzed.

Whitmer’s commitment to raising the wage is a crucial step in revitalizing our local economies and rewarding hardworking families who have borne the brunt of a stagnant economy amidst rising prices. But it is important to ensure the minimum wage is a livable wage. Currently, $10.33 per hour is no longer sufficient and struggles to keep pace with the cost of living. Therefore, a substantial increase to at least $18 is essential to ensure that working families do not merely scrape by.

In order to better serve the people of Michigan, we need to shift our focus from offering an unlimited surplus of corporate welfare to providing essential public services. A highly effective approach to achieve this is by instituting fair taxation on the wealthy. By generating revenue through taxing the rich, we can reinvest in apprenticeship programs that pave the way for union jobs. Simultaneously, implementing statewide right to counsel will guarantee that every individual has access to legal representation. Additionally, allocating resources to universal pre-K and providing free access to higher education will establish a robust foundation for future generations, all while relieving the burden on working-class taxpayers.

Overall, the Democratic trifecta in Michigan has resulted in more victories in advancing housing justice across the state. However, we urge Governor Whitmer to make specific commitments to address issues such as over-assessing homeowners, ending preemption to allow cities to implement rent control, and protecting renters’ rights. We believe that a full commitment to keeping Michigan residents in their homes and protected from unscrupulous corporate landlords,  especially those with zero to low income, is essential.

This election year holds immense significance for both our state and nation’s future. While we have made remarkable progress in safeguarding the voting rights of marginalized communities, there is still much work to be done to ensure fairness and accessibility for all. To prevent a recurrence of events similar to the “stop the steal” movement of 2020, it is imperative that our state legislature passes the Michigan State Voting Rights Act. By enshrining voter protections, we can effectively increase voter participation.

In a recent lawsuit, it was determined that the redistricting maps in Michigan are unfair and illegal. It is particularly alarming that our Secretary of State is delaying action, as this further exacerbates the issue and prolongs the injustice. This delay is seen as a form of voter suppression, especially in Black and brown communities in Detroit, where the impact is most significant. By hindering the ability of these communities to have a fair say in the political process, gerrymandering is allowed to persist and perpetuate inequality. It is crucial that Governor Whitmer takes immediate action to address this issue and advocate for all voters, ensuring that every citizen’s voice is heard and their vote counts.

Furthermore, It is concerning to see corporations like DTE spending over a million dollars on political donations, as this prevents the elected officials from holding them accountable for the power outages and infrastructure issues that have been plaguing the state. It is time to put an end to the pay-to-play system and instead invest in creating a livable future that all Michiganders deserve.

We look forward to working with the legislature in the coming months to ensure that Governor Whitmer’s vision for Michigan includes comprehensive solutions to the challenges faced by Black, brown, immigrant and low-income communities.

News Release from Detroit Action Executive Director Branden Snyder

Michigan’s continued growth hinges on the strength of our economy. Over the past year, we have worked together to create a robust and diverse business landscape. Building off our automotive and manufacturing heritage, we have expanded investments with the production of electric vehicles, batteries, and clean energy manufacturing. Coupling that with extensive resources dedicated for training and education opportunities, we are positioning the Michigan workforce for high-paying jobs of the future. 

It’s encouraging to see that the governor continues to be committed to prioritizing job growth and economic development in Michigan, with a focus on proven initiatives like the High-wage Incentive for Regional Employment (HIRE) program that I have sponsored. These programs align with the current needs of our state and hold immense potential for the betterment of Michigan, supporting the needs of our smaller businesses and larger businesses alike.

News Release from State Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing)

I’m all for being optimistic and celebrating small victories as we try to build a better Michigan, but I think the governor misled people about the state of our state during this evening’s speech.

The rosy outlook the governor portrayed is a far cry from what many Michigan residents and businesses are feeling. Costs are up, wages are stagnant, and as the radical policies pushed by her administration and legislative leadership last term begin to take place, I’m afraid our state will continue in the current direction.

Roads remain unfixed because instead of making generational investments in our infrastructure, Democratic leadership threw pennies at road repairs while using public tax dollars for swimming pools and other partisan projects. Instead of expanding our electrical grid and making it more reliable, the governor and Legislature decided to scrap the whole thing and start new with wind and solar technology that have failed to deliver time and time again. Instead of focusing on proven efforts toward student success, they watered down reading and teacher evaluation standards and are more concerned with whether the school bus students ride to school is electric or not.

The grandstanding and ‘feel good’ initiatives mixed with a tax-and-spend philosophy have not netted desirable results over the years, and making people reach deeper into their pockets just to get by will not drive our state to the top of any lists.

Michiganders welcomed 2024 with a tax increase and the governor is already spending it.

We need to shift the focus away from this type of partisan governing and take on tough issues that actually work to shape a better future for the state as a whole. I hope tonight marks a new beginning and we can work together to promote policies that drive growth, hold government accountable and put the needs of Michigan families and businesses ahead of partisan priorities.

News Release Statement from State Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Mt. Pleasant)

The only real wins the governor mentioned in her speech were accomplished by the Lions and the Wolverines, but that didn’t stop the governor from chalking up our state’s losses as victories. 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. 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.

News Release Statement from Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford)