Capitol News

State Representative Luke Meerman of Coopersville responded to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's seventh State of the State address, delivered on Wednesday evening. In his remarks following the address, Rep. Meerman expressed his views on the governor's presentation and policy positions.

"The governor knows how to read a room, that much is clear," stated Meerman. He described the address as "the most tepid we’ve seen" and noted a shift from previous enthusiasm for "coastal progressive policies during the Democrat trifecta." According to him, Governor Whitmer appears to be aligning with solutions long advocated by House Republicans.

Meerman highlighted concerns regarding regulatory issues in Michigan, specifically pointing out what he considers hypocrisy in "duplicative and burdensome permitting." He criticized the current administration's handling of agriculture, skilled trades, and professional certifications, suggesting these areas have been hampered by excessive red tape. "Today’s regulatory environment is a result of the directive her administration has given," he commented.

Additionally, Meerman addressed energy policies enacted under the Democrat trifecta that aim for clean energy generation targets based on timelines rather than technological advancements. He argued this approach compromises Michigan’s energy grid stability and poses risks to community safety. "We cannot transition away from traditional fuel sources until we have the energy redundancy needed," he warned.