State Rep. Ron Robinson (R-Utica) released the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her State of the State address:

“Education and housing are critical priorities for Michigan families, and I appreciate the focus on both. These are areas where we have shown we can work together and deliver commonsense solutions that help Michigan families.

“When it comes to housing, we must confront the skilled trades gap head-on. No matter how much work we do in Lansing to tackle the housing crisis, at the end of the day, homes don’t get built without skilled tradesmen on the ground putting them in the hard yards. If we are serious about increasing supply and lowering costs, we need real investment in career and technical education and apprenticeship programs: this is the foundation we will need to bring about long-lasting solutions.

“Investing into our youth and in home-grown talent is the way forward. These are good-paying careers that don’t bury our young people in debt. They offer a pathway to buy a home, start a family, and put down roots right here in Macomb. That is the American Dream. That is the spirit that built Macomb, and it is time to bring it back.

“I was also proud to see the strong ovation for the new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Bringing this mission home required coordination across levels of government and across party lines. Federal, state, and local leaders all played a role, and my Appropriations Subcommittee did our part by securing $26 million in last year’s budget to upgrade the base so these aircraft can be housed here.”