Lansing — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged a move toward "common ground" with Republican lawmakers Wednesday during her third State of the State address as she called for ending the COVID-19 pandemic and boosting the economy.
The less-than-30-minute speech was short on criticism but emphasized working together despite high-profile clashes with Republican lawmakers as recently as Wednesday afternoon. She mentioned focusing on "what unites us" and improving "how we talk to each other."
"My mission is to find common ground so we can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever," Whitmer said.
Speaking from her Capitol office, the governor spent much of her address reflecting on 2020, a year defined by a pandemic and a contentious presidential election, touting past accomplishments and renewing appeals for past proposals. There were new ideas included, such as the announcement that she'll reconvene a school advisory council to examine how to promote a "comprehensive recovery."