LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Latest on Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State address (all times local):
8:35 p.m.
Gov. Rick Snyder has touted Michigan’s economic and fiscal gains under his watch, saying his tenure has had “huge ups and downs” but Michigan is better shape today than before he took office.
In his eighth and final State of the State address Tuesday night, the Republican governor recapped many past initiatives but said he has an ambitious agenda for his last year in office - with a focus on infrastructure and the environment.
He told a joint session of the Legislature that next week he will unveil five major policy initiatives related to rural broadband access, recycling, Asian carp in the Great Lakes, water infrastructure and the replacement of money that has dried up for environmental cleanup. And in February, he will detail a “Marshall Plan” for developing talent.
A fight is shaping up with the GOP-led Legislature on cutting individual taxes, which Snyder opposes for budgetary reasons.
___
7:05 p.m.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is delivering his eighth and final State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature.
The Republican’s speech is underway at the Capitol. Goals for his last year in office include proposing a “Marshall Plan” to develop talent - which he plans to detail in coming weeks.
The governor also is expected to mention infrastructure- and environment-related proposals that will detail further next week. And he plans to indirectly caution lawmakers against the philosophy of cutting individual taxes without worrying about the future budget implications. Before the address, he told The Associated Press it is “wrong” to “spend money … and hand the bill to your kids.”
Snyder, who cannot run again because of term limits, is at odds with lawmakers who want to reduce individual income taxes. The Snyder administration has said tax cuts are already being phased in.
___
5:35 a.m.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is preparing to deliver his eighth and final State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature.
The annual speech Tuesday night is a chance for the Republican to focus on Michigan’s economic rebound and other successes. He’s keeping details under wraps.
Snyder cannot run again because of term limits and is at odds with lawmakers who want to cut individual income taxes.
A year ago, he proposed no big legislative initiatives - instead touting the Medicaid expansion and progress in Flint, where his administration has primarily been blamed for the crisis with lead-tainted water.
The address will come less than a week after lawmakers for the first time overrode one of Snyder’s vetoes by enacting a speedier tax cut for car buyers.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.