State of the State address 2019

**Tig3rzhark** · February-12-19, 10:11 PM

Did anyone watch the State of the State address? If so, what do u guys think of what she had to say?

Feel free to post your opinions here.

I'm a little disappointed that there was nothing said related to transit.

**Scottathew** · February-12-19, 10:17 PM

I liked her general message. I felt the tone was good, as she'll need a lot of cooperation from republicans.

I found it telling that republicans couldn't applaud things like equality and freedom for minority groups and women.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · February-13-19, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Tig3rzhark

Did anyone watch the State of the State address? If so, what do u guys think of what she had to say?

Feel free to post your opinions here.

I'm a little disappointed that there was nothing said related to transit.

Or her repealing the retirement tax. That and the roads, were her major campaign pledges.

**mkd** · February-13-19, 03:22 PM

Sounded like a campaign speech. Nothing said about how she's going to get things done. And as stated above, no mention of transit. As someone who voted for her, disappointed with the speech.

**Luke09** · February-13-19, 07:19 PM

It was just okay. Someone needs to remind her that she won, it's time to present plans with actionable items....or at least real soon

**softailrider** · February-13-19, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Luke09

It was just okay. Someone needs to remind her that she won, it's time to present plans with actionable items....or at least real soon

She’ll have a plan, it’ll be raising taxes. She’ll find a way to get inside your wallet.

**jcole** · February-13-19, 08:07 PM

It's the State of the State address, in which she reports on the condition of the state. That is exactly what she did. It's not a platform to ask for new taxes or lay down detailed plans. It's to inform both houses of the condition we are currently in. She did that.

**ABetterDetroit** · February-13-19, 08:39 PM

I would have liked to hear how she expects to fix the roads. It was her signature item.

Floating a plan out there that cuts our auto insurance rates at least $500 annually is the only way to make a tax increase palatable of the magnitude roads would require.

At least she could kill two birds with one stone if she tried it that way.

One thing is finally for sure at least. If Snyder with both houses chock full of republicans couldn’t find the money to fix the roads already laying around there in Lansing after 8 years we shouldn’t have to listen to that bullshit any longer.

https://www.businessinsider.com/car-...ranked-2018-11

**Atticus** · February-13-19, 09:47 PM

She is still feeling out the Republican Legislature, and trying to figure out what items she can negotiate on.

The simple truth is, only the state legislature can fix the roads, not Whitmer. Whitmer can talk about fixing them every waking hour, but until the legislature finally agrees and dedicates the amount of funding needed to make that happen, the roads will continue to get worse.

The other issue is, there is very little Whitmer can offer as trade bait. Any major legislative issue the Republicans wanted done got completed over the last 8 years with a GOP gov and GOP house and senate. This means there really isn’t any issue the Republicans would be willing to “trade” to make the road fixes in exchange.

About the only thing Whitmer has to offer the Republicans is to be the scapegoat for a tax hike. If she is willing to make it seem like she is the one responsible for the road tax increase, and not the GOP legislature, then maybe it could get through. Previously with a GOP governor, there was no way for the Republicans to “blame” the Democrats for raising taxes for a road tax hike. With Whitmer, now they can place blame.

**Honky Tonk** · February-13-19, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by softailrider

She’ll have a plan, it’ll be raising taxes. She’ll find a way to get inside your wallet.

It always ends up being that doesn't it? Then the revenue goes God knows where, and a year later they end up crying for more money just like that 35 year old kid living in the basement that can't find a job.

**ABetterDetroit** · February-13-19, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Atticus

She is still feeling out the Republican Legislature, and trying to figure out what items she can negotiate on.

The simple truth is, only the state legislature can fix the roads, not Whitmer. Whitmer can talk about fixing them every waking hour, but until the legislature finally agrees and dedicates the amount of funding needed to make that happen, the roads will continue to get worse.

The other issue is, there is very little Whitmer can offer as trade bait. Any major legislative issue the Republicans wanted done got completed over the last 8 years with a GOP gov and GOP house and senate. This means there really isn’t any issue the Republicans would be willing to “trade” to make the road fixes in exchange.

About the only thing Whitmer has to offer the Republicans is to be the scapegoat for a tax hike. If she is willing to make it seem like she is the one responsible for the road tax increase, and not the GOP legislature, then maybe it could get through. Previously with a GOP governor, there was no way for the Republicans to “blame” the Democrats for raising taxes for a road tax hike. With Whitmer, now they can place blame.

Astute observations.

Playing hard ball with her and taking the heat for more inaction on roads for the next election cycle does contain risk though. If they hadn’t messed that one up so bad and had at least sold a plan of action on the issue they probably would be making deals with Schuette right now instead of having to work with her.

Terrible roads are damn hard to hide from voters.

**gnome** · February-15-19, 07:41 PM

State of the State addresses are not meant for details. It’s a broad-stroke speech.

For those looking for details, or complaining about the lack thereof, you have a axe to grind.

The speech was fine. No stumbles.