Photo: Nick King / USA TODAY NETWORK
LANSING, January 26, 2023 ~ Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her fifth State of The State address Wednesday, offering an agenda for her final term that will play out in a political landscape not seen in Lansing in nearly 40 years.
“It’s great to be back in the Capitol, and it feels even better to be making history,” said governor Whitmer. “I am honored to stand between Speaker Joe Tate and Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Both are firsts — the first Black speaker and the first woman majority leader. They will certainly not be the last.”
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January 26, 2023 ~ Governor Gretchen Whitmer talks with 760 WJR‘s Paul W. Smith live from Lansing about her State of The State address, and says that she has a lot of work to do and is looking forward to working with Republicans to get the job done.
January 26, 2023 ~ Aric Nesbitt, Republican minority leader of the Michigan Senate, did the Republican response to Governor Whitmer‘s State of The State address, and he tells Paul W. that Republicans will try to work with the governor, but they have concerns about how some of the programs will be funded.
(CONTINUED) Whitmer led the policy portion of her presentation with legislation proposals that she believes will help families feeling the pinch of inflation. These initiatives include a roll back of the retirement tax, an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit, and Free Pre-K for All. Whitmer says that these programs will save or refund millions to Michigan families.
The governor also offered policies that she says will help keep and attract young talent for Michigan. Beyond incentivizing investments and increasing educational opportunities, Whitmer sighted “essential freedoms” as a key motivator for young adults. Once legislated, these freedoms would solidify in Michigan a woman’s right to choose, repeal laws restricting who you can marry, and expand civil rights so that citizens can’t be evicted or fired for who they are or how they identify.
“Protecting these freedoms is the right thing to do and it’s just good economics,” said Governor Whitmer. “States with extreme laws are losing talent and investment because bigotry is bad for business. We should build on our reputation as a welcoming beacon of opportunity where anyone can succeed.”
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January 25, 2023 ~ Governor Gretchen Whitmer greets guests before delivering her State of The State address at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. Photo: Nick King / USA TODAY NETWORK
(CONTINUED) Also high on the governor’s agenda were programs designed to support law enforcement and curb gun violence. The initiatives would provide officers with improved training, oversight, and access to mental health resources, while reducing the number of guns on the streets by enacting universal background checks.
“The time for only thoughts and prayers is over. It’s time for commonsense action to reduce gun violence in our communities.”
Though light on specifics, the full scope of the governor’s plans are expected to be revealed when she delivers her 2023 budget to legislators later next month.
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