LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Roger Hauck, R-Mt. Pleasant, issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State address:
“I’m all for being optimistic and celebrating small victories as we try to build a better Michigan, but I think the governor misled people about the state of our state during this evening’s speech.
“The rosy outlook the governor portrayed is a far cry from what many Michigan residents and businesses are feeling. Costs are up, wages are stagnant, and as the radical policies pushed by her administration and legislative leadership last term begin to take place, I’m afraid our state will continue in the current direction.
“Roads remain unfixed because instead of making generational investments in our infrastructure, Democratic leadership threw pennies at road repairs while using public tax dollars for swimming pools and other partisan projects. Instead of expanding our electrical grid and making it more reliable, the governor and Legislature decided to scrap the whole thing and start new with wind and solar technology that have failed to deliver time and time again. Instead of focusing on proven efforts toward student success, they watered down reading and teacher evaluation standards and are more concerned with whether the school bus students ride to school is electric or not.
“The grandstanding and ‘feel good’ initiatives mixed with a tax-and-spend philosophy have not netted desirable results over the years, and making people reach deeper into their pockets just to get by will not drive our state to the top of any lists.
“Michiganders welcomed 2024 with a tax increase and the governor is already spending it.
“We need to shift the focus away from this type of partisan governing and take on tough issues that actually work to shape a better future for the state as a whole. I hope tonight marks a new beginning and we can work together to promote policies that drive growth, hold government accountable and put the needs of Michigan families and businesses ahead of partisan priorities.”
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