Whitmer Emphasizes Bipartisanship in State of the State Address

(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.