LANSING — Tonight, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave her first State of the State address, outlining her vision for the state and calling for bipartisan collaboration to address the issues that matter most to Michigan’s working families. In response, state Rep. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) issued the following statement:

“Issues challenging our state for the past eight years—our roads, our schools, and the quality of our environment—were for too long brushed off by the past administration. Gov. Whitmer’s address tonight is a definitive statement that the people of Michigan’s voices are finally being heard. Everyday Michiganders now have someone fighting for them in the governor’s office. It will take hard work and compromise, but I look forward to working to address these issues alongside our governor and build a better life for all the people of this state.”

Rep. Hertel was joined by his constituent, community activist and educator Mary Hall-Rayford for the address.

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