Tri-City Sun

Rep. Mike Hoadley, a Republican from Au Gres, has offered his response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's recent State of the State address. Hoadley pointed out what he perceives as a discrepancy between the governor's bipartisan rhetoric and her record over the past six years.

"She said positive things – a call for bipartisanship," stated Hoadley. "But six years to the contrary. One wonders where she’s been."

Hoadley recalled one of Whitmer's initial promises at the start of her first term: addressing Michigan's deteriorating roads. He criticized this as an unfulfilled promise but expressed that it could be achieved if there is cooperation with House Republicans.

"The ‘damn roads’ were supposed to be fixed, but six years later, they haven’t been," Hoadley remarked. "Republicans have proposed a plan to invest more than $3.1 billion every year to fix our roads without raising taxes."

He also commented on education in Michigan, referencing its current ranking according to U.S. News & World Report.

"She spoke again this year about education, but it’s more of the same," noted Hoadley. "It’s been six years and Michigan has continuously fallen in education rankings under her leadership. 60% of 4th graders can’t read at their own grade level. Republicans want results, not rhetoric."

Despite expressing willingness to collaborate with Governor Whitmer on important issues, Hoadley remains cautious.

"As public officials, our actions always speak louder than our words," he said. "When it comes to the governor’s bipartisanship, we’re going to need a ‘little less talk and a lot more action’ before anyone takes her seriously."