DETROIT – Buzz around the Detroit Auto Show 2025 intensified, on Wednesday, with a visit from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer took time to check out some of the vehicles on the showroom floor after delivering a speech at the venue about the road ahead.
“I’ll work with anyone who is serious about solving problems,” Whitmer said as she addressed a crowd. “I’ll stand up to anyone who gets in our way.”
The governor said working with bi-partisan leaders on the state and federal levels will be significant this year.
She said finding common ground is what residents expect.
“This is a serious moment, right now,” Whitmer explained. “The future of the entire auto industry is at stake. The very core of Michigan’s economy is on the line.”
In addition to collaboration, Whitmer suggested Michigan must face some hard truths, in order for the state to compete in the auto industry’s changing reality, or ecosystem.
“Two big obstacles stand in our way,” Whitmer said. “One, our bi-partisan job fund goes away in a year. And, two, my road bonding plan, Rebuilding Michigan, is phasing out.”
The governor is suggesting a five-point approach to moving forward, including:
- A new “Make it Michigan” job fund to help close deals and attract more companies.
- A new payroll tax cut, called Hire Michigan.
- A streamlined strategic site readiness program, to create space for future projects.
- More investment in housing and brownfield development, and
- More investment in transit, including buses and rail.
The governor also details how roads are part of the second obstacle that needs to be addressed moving forward.
“The truth is, our roads still need work,” Whitmer said. ”We are facing a major funding cliff.”
Some Republican state lawmakers said they have been trying to collaborate with the governor and Democratic legislators without much success.
“It has been a battle cry of mine that we do not have enough funding,” said Rep. Donni Steele of Michigan’s 54th House District.
Rep. Steele has pm the Transportation sub-committee for two years.
“I believe we need to do better budgeting and prioritize what is most egregious to our infrastructure and what is most egregious to the people that live here, which is our roads,” Steele said. “So, that’s what we should be spending our money on, is by doing better in our budgeting processes and spending the money where people don’t want to. It’s not fun.”
A spokesman for Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall also chimed in with a statement after Whitmer’s speech.
In it, Greg Manz said, “Back in November, he made it clear that Michigan deserves a solution that prioritizes local and county infrastructure without taking more hard-earned dollars from taxpayers. That’s the plan he put forward then – and it’s the plan that remains on the table now.”