The 2017 State of the State Address began with a look on what a great year Michigan has had. Governor Rick Snyder reflects on the job growth and the decrease in unemployment, as well as the problems that local governments have been facing. Snyder spoke of the Federal government and healthcare, “we hope for the best but we cannot count on it.” The healthcare changes will be extreme, but he will ensure that a healthier Michigan is his priority. A huge step forward would be improving community and police relations across the state of Michigan, as well as the nation. After 34 minutes of the speech Snyder addresses the Flint Water Crisis. ” We owe the people of Flint a solution, and we will get them that solution” He speaks on the failing infrastructure in Flint and how it will also begin happening in other places. “We need to improve the water quality in Michigan.” Snyder would like to lower the quality standards so that situations like the Flint Water Crisis will never happen again.
Snyder moves on to speak about education and increasing the standards for reading and computer science skills that he believes are important for the future generation. He speaks about the community colleges and the equipment that they are able to use to help them better with their future careers. He would like to see this kind of investment down in the k-12 levels to introduce career specific specialties. He would like more hands-on activities and career fairs for children to see the job opportunities in Michigan. Snyder speaks of “growing Michigan and having 10 million people living and working here again.”
Snyder ends the night with a request to keep growing.
Watch the full speech here!