Governor Gretchen Whitmer has completed her first year in office.
Ben Thorp spoke spoke with the Governor about her year in review…
Ben: I want to give you an opportunity looking back on this past year what are some of the successes that you felt you had?
Governor Whitmer: I think I have to highlight auto no-fault reform. It was a bipartisan effort, something that eluded previous administrations. Something that consumers across the state have been frustrated with. We were able to make the changes so that consumers still have choice and that they are still protected but also to preclude discrimination. We're going to see rates fall this year and I think that's something we're all going to look back on and say it was a pretty remarkable thing we were able to accomplish.
Ben: You ran on fixing the roads. The republicans rejected your 45 cent gas tax and put forward no alternative solution for the necessary funding overhaul. How do you plan to resolve this impass in the coming year?
Governor Whitmer: I think it was terribly unfortuante that the legislature was never serious about fixing the roads. I did what I said I was going to do and put a plan on the table that fixed the problem. This legislature was never serious about working with me on that and the only solutions they propsed were selling bridges or stealing teacher pensions, neither of which would have fixed the problem. I say no more games. It's time to get it done. If the legislature is not going to work with me I'm going to move forward and put something new on the table next year, early next year. We are going to fix the damn roads whether they work with me or not. I certainly would rather be on the side of fixing the problem rather than putting my head in the sand like the legislature seems to be wanting to do.
Ben: The line item vetoes recieved a lot of criticism both from Republicans and some Democrats but especially some of the people who rely on that funding including rural hospitals. In hindsight were those cuts worth it?
Governor Whitmer: You know I had to do everything that I could to protect the safety and welfare of people in Michigan. The legislature sent me a budget that they wouldn't even negotiate with me. It was based on phony numbers. I have to make sure we are monitoring people who are tethered, people who are pedophiles or drunk drivers, who are out and being tethered. The legislature cut all of our ability to do fundamentals like that and that is why it was so important that we reorganize. Now, we did get back to the table we have a suplemental on my desk that I'll be signing in the next few days. I think that is a good thing for the state but that was an ugly process, something I am hopeful none of us is going to repeat next year.