Local elected officials comment on State of the State speech

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Local politicians are reacting to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the State address earlier this week. Speaking to WPHM’s Paul Miller yesterday morning, County Commissioner Howard Heidemann – the lone democrat on the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners – says he hopes Governor Whitmer can work towards the goals former Governor Rick Snyder was not able to accomplish, such as fixing the roads. He also says more money needs to be spent on education, but it may require increased taxes – such as millage rate increases – to do so.  Local Republican State Senator Dan Lauwers, agrees with the governor’s calls for bipartisanship but warns that raising taxes to pay for the roads or education may be detrimental to the state’s growth. Details on how Governor Whitmer plans to fund some of the projects announced at the State of the State are expected when she unveils her budget next month.

Full interview with Howard Heidemann:

 

Full interview with Representative Shane Hernandez:

 

Full interview with Senator Dan Lauwers: