GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Some Republican lawmakers in West Michigan are responding to Governor Whitmer's "What's Next" speech yesterday in which she outlined her priorities ahead of the fall legislative session.
The late-morning address was given at the Lansing Shuffle building. Among other things, the Governor called for expansion of the paid family and medical leave laws. She also touted her administration's support of automotive-manufacturing plants, including electric-vehicle battery facilities that are proposed to be built at various locations in Michigan.
"In Big Rapids, we're creating over 2,300 jobs. In Marshall, 2,500. In Representative (Reggie) Miller's district, Michigan-made Our Next Energy is creating more than 2,100 good-paying jobs," Gov. Whitmer said.
Her comments did not go over well with 79th District State Representative Angela Rigas of Alto. She told WOOD Radio the Governor's priorities are "More leftist policies by the tone-deaf Democrats that cannot accept responsibility for their bad policies, which have ultimately have led to the decline in population in Michigan."
District-88 State Representative Greg Van Woerkom of Norton Shores was a guest on West Michigan's Morning News. He also dismissed Whitmer's remarks as being political in nature.
"We're not quite sure. A lot of people are scratching their heads in Lansing of what this speech was about. It seemed more like an audition tape than anything else," he said.
Van Woerkom is the Vice Chairman of the House Tax Policy Committee. He said the plans Whitmer mentioned in her address have failed elsewhere.
"And, ultimately, it's going to cost taxpayers a lot more money from their paycheck," he said. "And businesses are going to be concerned about the pricetag and the regulations, mandates and requirements that would be assumed with these types of plans."
The Michigan Legislature reconvenes on September 5th.
Van Woerkom said some of the items Governor Whitmer called for in her address are very complex and difficult to implement.
"Many of these speeches are at 30,000 feet and certainly sound good at a speech level. When you do the actual committee process and the grind of legislature, that's when you start seeing the details and recognizing how complex some of these issues are. They can't just be done in a soundbite, and they can get really tough for taxpayers and businesses."
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Republican State Rep. Angela Rigas. Photo: Photo taken by James Gemmell