GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer continued her post-State of the State tour with stops in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids on Wednesday.
Whitmer then hosted an event in Grand Rapids at 11:45 a.m. with Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, founder and Director of Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, owner of Scott’s Lawn Care Tino Scott and host neighbor at the Seeds of Promise nonprofit Paula Collier
Governor Whitmer met with community members and local leaders to discuss her proposals to cut taxes for seniors and working families, lower costs on insulin and electric vehicles, and expand access to mental health, and what they mean for Michigan residents in detail from the 2022 State of the State address.
The governor's first stop was Kalamazoo at 10 a.m. She was joined by CEO of Southwest MI First Jonas Peterson, Kalamazoo County Commissioner Tami Raye and owner of Athletic Mentors Mark Olson.
“During my State of the State, I put forward proposals to cut taxes for seniors and working families, lower costs on insulin and electric vehicles, and expand access to mental health,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “In Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, I met with local officials, small business owners, and hard-working Michiganders to get their input as I prepare my budget proposal. I will work with anyone to keep delivering on the kitchen-table issues and putting Michiganders first. Together, we will build a bright future.”
Whitmer then hosted an event in Grand Rapids at 11:45 a.m. with Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, founder and Director of Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, owner of Scott’s Lawn Care Tino Scott and host neighbor at the Seeds of Promise nonprofit Paula Collier.
“The governor’s policies have helped countless residents in Grand Rapids over the last several years,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “We’re especially excited that in the winter semester alone, 2,400 students at Grand Rapids Community College are on a tuition-free path to higher education and skills training and creating a solid foundation for careers through the Michigan Reconnect and Future for Frontliners programs. I’m proud to join the governor as she continues to center our residents by working to create jobs, cut taxes, and lower costs for families.”
Here's Whitmer’s State of the State proposals:
• Repeal the Retirement Tax: Michiganders who worked hard, played by the rules, and saved deserve to keep their hard-earned dollars. That’s why Governor Whitmer proposed phasing out the retirement tax, which would save half a million households an average of $1,000 a year.
• Raise the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit: The EITC is a bipartisan tax cut for working families. That’s why Governor Whitmer proposed raising the EITC to save 730,000 Michiganders an average of almost $3,000 through their combined state and federal refund.
• Lower Cost of Insulin: For years, drug companies have been jacking up insulin prices, reaping billions in profit. Attorney General Nessel launched an investigation into one of the three largest insulin makers in the U.S. and Governor Whitmer will work with the legislature to lower the cost of insulin and save lives.
• Lower Cost of Electric Cars: Michigan is building the future of electric vehicles, and I want every Michigander to be part of it. That’s why I proposed a $2,500 electric vehicle rebate for families—$2,000 for the car and $500 for in-home charging equipment— which will build on the $7,500 federal electric vehicle credit and lower the cost of an electric vehicle by nearly $10,000.
• Expand Access to Mental Health: Governor Whitmer knows mental health is just as important as physical health. She proposed an expansion of the Michigan Loan Repayment Program for mental health professionals to increase access. She will also make another substantial investment to grow the mental health workforce in schools.
• Fixing the Damn Roads: Since Governor Whitmer took office, Michigan has repaired, rebuilt, or rehabilitated 13,198 lane miles of road and 903 bridges in every region of the state, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs. Michigan is fixing the roads with the right mix and materials, so they stay fixed, and creating tens of thousands of good-paying, skilled trades jobs along the way.
