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Whitmer asks GOP to find common ground in 3rd State of the State

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her second State of the State address Wednesday evening. She's expected to touch on road funding, sexual harassment, and child care, among other issues.
Michigan.gov
Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her second State of the State address Wednesday evening. She's expected to touch on road funding, sexual harassment, and child care, among other issues.

Michigan Radio's Zoe Clark talks to Doug Tribou about Governor Gretchen Whitmer's third State of the State address.

Credit Michigan.gov

Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a peace offering to Republicans in her third State of the State address on Wednesday night. That’s as Republicans have ramped up their resistance to her COVID-19 restrictions.

The speech was delivered from the quiet of Whitmer’s Capitol office instead of before a live audience.       

The governor tried to quell opposition to her orders that closed schools and restricted gatherings and business activities. Whitmer defended her actions, but also looked to the year ahead.

“And I’ll continue to reach out to Republicans here in Lansing. While common ground seems less and less common these days, it’s never been more important that we work toward it.”

Whitmer said ending the COVID crisis is the fastest and surest way to restart the state’s economy.

“The health of our economy is inextricably linked to the health of our people. Effectively rebuilding our economy this year requires protecting the public health, and that hurdle is cleared quicker and easier if we work together.”

GOP leaders will deliver their formal response later on Thursday. But the GOP-led Senate has starting rejecting Whitmer appointments and some Republican lawmakers have threatened to use their budget power to rein in the governor’s COVID plans. 

Copyright 2021 Michigan Radio. To see more, visit Michigan Radio.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
Zoe Clark is a producer as well as the co-host of the Friday afternoon segment It's Just Politics on Michigan Radio. She produces Morning Edition, Jack Lessenberry’s daily essays, and Michigan Radio’s local interviews, including those by All Things Considered host Jennifer White and Morning Edition host Christina Shockley. She is also a substitute on-air host. She has been at Michigan Radio since 2006.
Doug Tribou joined the Michigan Radio staff as the host of Morning Edition in June 2016. Doug first moved to Michigan in 2015 when he was awarded a Knight-Wallace journalism fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.