I issued the following statement on Wednesday evening, in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2021 State of the State address:

“It is always interesting to hear the governor’s priorities and her outlook for Michigan’s future, but actions always speak louder than words written in a speech.

“For nearly a year, the Legislature has been left out of discussions surrounding the pandemic response. At first, it was calling on the Legislature to work with her on roads before she chose to go it alone to solve that issue. We then set up a responsible budget and she gutted it and sent money where she saw fit. We have provided input and feedback from our constituents about how the pandemic is negatively affecting them, but she routinely ignores these pleas and has continued to keep the state locked down while changing the rules time and again when her extensions are set to expire.

“So, forgive me for being skeptical of her calls tonight for us to work together. It takes two to do so and we’re tired of holding our hands out.

“With that said, I hope she is finally willing to work with us. We can start by giving people some certainty as to when they can return to work and do so without changing the rules a few days before the restrictions are to be lifted.

We can also continue working to provide relief to those businesses that are on the brink of shutting down to help them stay afloat. Workers and businesses need certainty. They cannot keep making investments in safety equipment and extra measures only to be shut down anyway.

“Next, we can get kids back into schools and allow them to compete in winter sports and have that much-needed interaction with their peers. This will be a tremendous first step in addressing and healing the mental health problems that have developed from people being locked in their homes.

“Finally, she can join us in approving a responsible budget that puts some money back in our savings and funds critical state services like public safety, public health, road repairs and our schools.

“I’ve said from the beginning that the solution cannot be worse than the cure, and as we watch families struggle, businesses fail, and people’s life’s work being thrown out through the decision-making of one person, I believe we have reached that point.

“I hope 2021 is the year the governor finally does join hands with the Legislature. I hope she does give people in this state a voice.

“I look forward to the governor’s budget presentation in the coming weeks and seeing if she truly means the words she said tonight, or if it was another speech for the cameras.”

The Senate recently adopted my resolution, Senate Resolution 10, honoring the Blue Star Mothers of America and the work they do for our nation’s veterans.

Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have a family member serving in the military. The organization was originally founded in Flint in 1942 and has grown to every corner of the nation.

SR 10 commemorates Feb. 1, 2021, as Blue Star Mother’s Day in the state of Michigan.

The Blue Star Mothers of America do tremendous work both honoring and caring for the men and women who served this nation. They honor those who gave their lives, visit injured service members in the hospital, and help care for and provide support to families who have lost a loved one. The work they do has countless untold benefits and I don’t believe the good in their hearts can even be quantified.

While we can never truly display our gratitude for their children’s bravery and sacrifices, we can certainly honor the organization’s mission and raise awareness about the work they do.

The resolution had a host of bipartisan co-sponsors and was formally adopted by the Senate.

It was announced earlier this week that member committee assignments were finalized and that I had received my updated committee assignments for the new Legislature.

Committee hearings are among the most important aspects of what we do here in the Legislature. The committee process is a critical part of a bill becoming a law. It’s where the people who are affected by changes in the law have a chance to come voice their thoughts on proposed legislation and have a say in the lawmaking process.

I previously served on the Energy and Technology Committee and on the Capital Outlay Appropriations Subcommittee but will be leaving those roles and taking a new position as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health/Human Services.

My other committee assignments include the following:

Taking on these new roles will bring new challenges as the state continues its response to the coronavirus. I look forward to working with folks across the state as we continue working to get Michigan back on track and allow people to open up their doors and make a living.

A full list of Senate committees and their memberships is available online at www.MiSenateGOP.com. Click on the Committees tab.

My office recently announced three office hours meetings for the month of February.

I will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district. No appointment is necessary.

If you plan to participate, please follow social distancing and other recommended guidelines.

For more information or to contact my office, please visit www.SenatorRickOutman.com or call 517-373-3760.

February’s office hours are as follows:

Monday, Feb. 1
10 – 11 a.m.
Montcalm County Administrative Building (third floor conference room)
211 W. Main St.
Stanton

Friday, Feb. 5
10 –11 a.m.
Gratiot County Court House (commissioners room)
214 E. Center St.
Ithaca

Friday, Feb. 5
1 – 2 p.m.
Clare County Court House (conference room A)
225 W. Main St.
Harrison

The 33rd state Senate District includes Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, and Montcalm Counties.

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