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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will enter her second time period as Michigan’s chief govt together with her get together in charge of the Michigan Legislature.
Democrats gained management of each the Michigan Home of Representatives and Senate on this month’s elections — the primary time they’ve held them in years. Additionally they maintain the governor’s workplace, secretary of state’s workplace and legal professional common’s workplace.
Which means Whitmer is in a very good place to implement her priorities:
“I believe one of many issues that I’m impressing upon the Legislature is we’ve acquired to remain tethered to the kitchen desk points,” she informed Information 8 Thursday. “That’s what we’ve labored on for 4 years. We’ve laid an awesome basis. Now’s the time to place our foot on the accelerator. So whether or not it’s out-competing different states for funding in Michigan or it’s persevering with our work in training so we are able to get to that prime 10 in literacy aim, these are going to proceed to drive all the pieces from the price range to coverage change.”
She added she wish to “scour by outdated legal guidelines and clear them off the books” — particularly referencing Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, which was rendered out of date by the passage of a constitutional modification that protects reproductive freedoms, together with the best to abortions.
Whitmer has campaigned on promise to “repair the rattling roads.” In her first time period, after a pitch to extend the gasoline tax fell flat, she resorted to bonding to fund tasks. She mentioned together with her get together now in charge of the Legislature, she is ready to create an “knowledgeable,” “complete and long-term” plan, particularly contemplating an anticipated shift to extra electrical automobiles on our roads.
“We … have an outdated mode of funding our roads, as does each different state. No state has figured this out but. Some have gotten some pilot tasks that they’ve carried out to find out the way you would possibly measure miles traveled, as an example,” she mentioned. “I believe it’s going to take plenty of work. It’s not going to come back from one individual. It’s not going to come back from one facet of the aisle. This needs to be a plan that’s complete, forward-looking and inclusive of our locals and our state freeway techniques.”
ON POSSIBLE WHITE HOUSE RUN: ‘NO’
Requested if there was something she wish to see the Republican-led Legislature get carried out within the lame-duck session, she pointed to working to maneuver Michigan’s presidential major up. The Democratic and Republican nationwide committees would additionally must log out on that.
“We (Michigan) go so late within the major system that our voice is muted,” she mentioned. “Whether or not you’re Republican or a Democrat, I believe shifting Michigan up within the major system could be a very good factor for the state of Michigan, it could be a very good factor for the nation as a result of our voices are necessary.”
Whitmer mentioned flatly that she has no intention to take part in that major as a presidential candidate.
“No. There’s nothing else to say. No,” she mentioned. “I’ve been unequivocal from the get-go however for no matter purpose, individuals wish to preserve writing articles. I’m targeted on Michigan. I ran for 4 extra years as governor of the state of Michigan and I’m going to serve them.”
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