Feb. 26, 2025, LANSING ~ In her seventh State of the State Address, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted the importance of bipartisan cooperation to tackle the state’s pressing issues. With the Michigan House now under Republican control and a narrow Democratic majority in the Senate, Whitmer’s call for unity comes at a critical juncture for the state.
Governor Whitmer outlined her administration’s achievements and future priorities, focusing on infrastructure, education, and economic development. She emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts to address the state’s housing shortage, improve road conditions, and support the auto industry amid economic uncertainties. “In Michigan, we have an opportunity and an obligation to lead by example,” Whitmer said. She also proposed an $83.5 billion budget, stressing fiscal responsibility and the importance of working across the aisle to achieve a balanced budget by June.
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Feb. 27, 2025 ~ Speaker of the State House Matt Hall joins Guy Gordon and Lloyd Jackson to recap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer‘s State of the State, the potential for bipartisan cooperation on issues like regulating phone use in schools along with, continued disagreements on taxes, and more.
Feb. 27, 2025 ~ Detroit News politics editor and columnist Chad Livengood talks with Guy Gordon and Lloyd Jackson about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer‘s State of the State address that focused on the need for long-term road funding solutions, continuing a call that has persisted for years, and a lack of specific details.
(CONTINUED) In her address, Whitmer acknowledged the challenges posed by political division and economic instability. “Partisanship has every aspect of our lives, driven by opportunistic politicians and media figures,” she noted. She called for collaboration on key issues such as lowering costs for Michiganders, creating job opportunities, and ensuring government efficiency. The governor highlighted successful bipartisan initiatives, including the expansion of Medicaid and the recent agreement on minimum wage and paid sick time.
The Republican response, delivered by State Representative Brian Posthumus, painted a starkly different picture of Michigan’s current state. Posthumus criticized the governor’s handling of the state budget, arguing that the proposed $86 billion budget is excessive and that the previous surplus was squandered. “All that extra money could have gone toward fixing the roads, but it didn’t,” he stated. He emphasized the need for fiscal restraint, lower taxes, and a focus on essential services like infrastructure, public safety, and education.
Posthumus also addressed Michigan’s economic decline, citing population loss and reduced influence in Congress as significant concerns. “Detroit is the only city in the history of the world to drop in population by more than a million people,” he remarked. He called for drastic actions to reverse these trends, advocating for policies that keep more money in residents’ pockets and create safer communities. Despite the criticism, Posthumus expressed a willingness to work with Democrats to achieve common goals. “Republicans have no intention of using our majority to obstruct. We will use it to lead,” he affirmed.
Both Whitmer and Posthumus underscored the importance of bipartisan cooperation in their speeches. As Michigan navigates a divided government, the ability of both parties to find common ground will be crucial in addressing the state’s challenges and moving forward.
STATE OF THE STATE LIVE STREAM:
Feb. 26, 2025 ~ Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her State of the State Address in the Michigan House chambers Wednesday. In her address, the Governor urged for bipartisanship ahead of outlining plans for job creation, infrastructure improvements, cost reductions, and continued investments in education.
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