North Michigan News

State Senator John Damoose, a Republican from Harbor Springs, has responded to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's 2024 State of the State address, expressing cautious optimism for a more collaborative and commonsense form of government in the coming year. Damoose believes that the governor's speech painted an optimistic picture of the state, but acknowledges that many families across Michigan are living a different reality.

Damoose emphasizes the need to focus on "dinner table issues," such as tax cuts, tax credits, affordable housing, education support, and workforce development. However, he cautions against simply throwing more money at these initiatives, stating, "Supporting these things does not mean simply throwing more money at them, however. We need to be wary about things labeled as 'free.' Free means taxpayer-funded, so it is important that we also ensure we have strong oversight and accountability behind these initiatives."

Damoose agrees with some of the goals mentioned in the governor's speech, including the need to build a better, stronger, and more resilient Michigan. However, he stresses that time is of the essence and urges the administration to follow through on their promises. He says, "We are facing some serious challenges as a state and we don't have any more time to waste playing politics. We will soon find out if these are sincere promises from the administration or just the same empty rhetoric that we saw in previous years."

In conclusion, Damoose hopes for a shift towards a more collaborative and commonsense approach to governance in 2024. He echoes the sentiments of many Michigan residents who are looking for tangible solutions to the real-life issues they face. Damoose's response serves as a reminder that actions speak louder than words, and that the state government must prioritize the needs of its citizens above political agendas.