State Rep. Joe Bellino released the following statement tonight in response to the governor’s State of the State address:

“The people of Michigan need more than canned promises – they need results. We need to build up our skilled workforce – with training, with jobs, and with social supports, like opioid addiction care, that will put more of our kids in high quality careers at home.

“Tonight the governor missed an opportunity to address the opioid epidemic plaguing many Michigan communities and families. It’s important to me that Michigan families know their lawmakers are listening and responding to their needs. Opioid abuse affects families across Michigan and I want the state to be on the side of protecting people’s wellbeing and offering helping hands where needed. We have to ask ourselves, what’s the cost of doing nothing?

“The toll this crisis is taking on our families and young people is too high. If we are going to keep investing in Michigan’s economic future, we need to make sure we are investing in the next generation.”