SaveMICity statement regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address

The following statement was sent to Michigan media at the conclusion of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address Tuesday evenin (Feb. 12, 2019)

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Municipal League Executive Director and CEO Dan Gilmartin issued the following statement on behalf of SaveMICity in regard to this evening’s State of the State Address from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“When we talk about infrastructure, we hope the conversation focuses on more than bricks and mortar and roads and bridges. If we want to improve Michigan and bring jobs and talent and business to our great state, we must talk about every aspect of a community’s infrastructure. This includes having vibrant parks our children can enjoy; accessible transit systems; first responders who are there for us during some of the worst moments of our lives; and a safe, affordable housing stock. Our communities are the backbone to our state’s economic growth, but Michigan hasn’t invested in our communities in decades.

“Our state hasn’t invested in community infrastructure, so our cities, villages and townships struggle to provide even basic services, let alone the types of amenities that is demanded by both talent and business. The reality is that we’re in a worldwide competition for talent and the talent goes to the best places. The places that have been given the tools to invest in their community infrastructure are winning.

“Our new state leadership has an opportunity to chart a different course for Michigan’s future – one where we invest in the community infrastructure needed to attract the best and brightest – and by doing so, for our state to grow.”

For media questions, please contact the League’s Director of Communications Matt Bach at 810-874-1073 or mbach@mml.org.