Legislator issues statement on this week’s address

“I wasn’t surprised by most of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s address. She highlighted a list of legislative accomplishments – without giving any credit to the Republican led Legislature where the bills were born. She bragged about how well our economy is doing – without giving President Trump so much as an honorable mention.

“What surprised me was that she thought Republicans should have supported her reckless actions of slashing funding to veterans, students, and many other Michiganders in need-weeks before the holidays.

“It also astonished me that she emphasized touting ‘impatience’ as a virtue, when we all know that impatience leads to bad decisions and poor policy.

“What absolutely floored me was that after Republicans provided $375 million in additional funding for roads last year – without raising taxes nor implementing her proposed 45-cent gas tax hike – she vetoed the funding, claiming it wasn’t a long-term solution.

“Instead she chose to go with her short-term plan of financing roads with bonds that will leave Michiganders paying off debt for years down the road. Let’s not forget, Michigan taxpayers are still paying down bonding debt created nearly two decades ago under previous administrations and will not finish paying that off until 2037.

“Adding more debt is not the answer – Michiganders now and our future generations deserve better.”