LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Wednesday night, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her third State of the State address to Michigan residents.
The address was held in a virtual format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During her speech, Whitmer recounted the accomplishments of the year 2020 while also outlining her goals for the year ahead.
She began by acknowledging the pandemic and those who succumbed to the virus through last year, while also toting how Michigan responded to the crisis.
“In the midst of the worst public health crisis in our lifetimes, the world saw just how tough Michiganders are,” Whitmer said. “When we get knocked down, we dust ourselves off and pull each other back up.”
She also called on the legislature for unity going forward.
“Based on the political environment this past year, you might think Republicans and Democrats in Lansing can’t find common ground on much of anything,” Whitmer said. “But the reality is, despite all these crises, and the gridlock in Washington, we took real bipartisan action to get things done for you and your family.”
Touching on the work that needs to be done in the year ahead, Governor Whitmer offered a new take on her “Fix the Damn Roads” stance.
“This year, let’s also fix the damn road ahead – find common ground to grow our economy and get families and businesses back on their feet. That starts by ending the pandemic,” Whitmer said. “The health of our economy is inextricably linked to the health of our people. Effectively rebuilding our economy this year requires that we protect public health. That hurdle is cleared easier and quicker if we work together.”
She also talked about the MI COVID Recovery Plan, which was introduced last week.
“My plan includes a call on the Legislature to permanently extend unemployment benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks,” Whitmer said. “This would bring Michigan in line with 40 other states and provide hard-hit Michigan workers with the financial security and peace of mind they deserve. I invite the legislature to partner with me on the health of our people, the education of our kids, and the resurgence of our economy. Let’s get the MI COVID Recovery Plan passed immediately.”
Whitmer says the goals of the MI COVID Recovery plan include getting to a point of 50,000 vaccines administered per day, while also working toward a goal of vaccinating 70 percent of the state population ages 16 and up. That number comes to around 5.6M residents, according to Whitmer.
At this point in time, Whitmer says the state has administered over 800,000 vaccines and over 9.6 million tests. However, she says that the goal won’t be met until the state has an adequate supply of vaccine shots.
“Every eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get one,” Whitmer said. “This process is like a locomotive – it will be cumbersome and slow in the beginning, but it will get faster and smoother as we go. I just ask for patience as our frontline workers work around the clock to get shots in arms.”
While that supply is still being secured, Whitmer says residents must continue following established health guidelines, especially with the news of a COVID variant being discovered in the state.
“And as we fight the new variant of the virus, we must all continue to wear a mask, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings,” Whitmer said. “The good news is we know how to fight this virus. The coming months will determine the strength of our economic recovery. Let’s end this pandemic. Make your plan to get vaccinated, and keep wearing your mask until this pandemic is over. Let’s join forces to jumpstart our economy.”
Provisions of the MI COVID Recovery plan also include education support, with a goal to return to in-person learning on March 1, and support for small businesses.
As far as new programs, one announced by Whitmer was the Michigan Back to Work plan.
“Today, I’m announcing Michigan Back to Work, my plan to help us grow our economy and get Michiganders back on their feet,” Whitmer said. “We will leverage all of the resources of state government to rebuild our economy back better. Working with leaders in state and federal government, business, and beyond to grow good-paying Michigan jobs. Over the next year, we will announce initiatives and projects big and small – from tech, mobility and manufacturing growth, to clean energy and road construction. This will protect, grow, and create more good paying jobs.”
Another new initiative announced was the “Fixing the Damn Road Ahead” tour, which she will undertake to learn first-hand what the concerns of Michigan residents are.
“This year, I will launch the ‘Fixing the Damn Road Ahead’ tour to engage with and listen to Michiganders young and old, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, from Lake Superior to Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and everywhere in between,” Whitmer said. “To focus on what unites us, improve how we talk to each other, and together we’ll fix the damn road ahead. My mission is to find common ground so we can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.”
She also touched on other areas of infrastructure, such as clean drinking water and pipelines.
“Last year, I announced the MI Clean Water plan, a $500 million investment in Michigan’s water infrastructure,” Whitmer said. “Direct dollars to communities for safe, clean water to residents. And it supports over 7,500 Michigan jobs. It’s time for the legislature to pass these bills so we can start rebuilding Michigan’s water infrastructure. I will keep working so every family in Michigan has clean, safe water.”
At the end of the speech, Whitmer once again called for unity among parties for the year ahead.
“To the legislative leaders tuning in, our job now is to fix the damn road ahead together,” Whitmer said. “Let’s commit to the strong bipartisan action we took last year and focus that same energy to end the pandemic, grow our economy and get our kids back on track. The people of Michigan are counting on us. Here’s to an ‘annus mirabilis’ – a great year. Let’s get it done.”
Further reading and viewing:
- The full video of the speech, along with supporting documents, can be viewed at the State of Michigan website by clicking here.
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