Governor Snyder delivers his fifth State of the State address tonight and co-hosts of It's Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta, are in Lansing preparing to cover the speech. They gave us a preview of what might be addressed tonight.
- The merger of the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Services. Earlier today, the Detroit Free Press reported that the Governor plans to announce the merger of the Michigan Department of Community Health with the Michigan Department of Human Services. Pluta says the two departments have missions that are close enough that it could increase efficiency, but both departments are quite large, which could complicate the process, and unions are concerned with what this means for the workers. According to Pluta, the merger will be an executive order, meaning the Legislature has the chance to reject it, but will not be voting on it otherwise.
- The roads plan. Clark says Governor Snyder will also continue to talk about the roads plan passed by the last Legislature in December. The Governor hopes voters will approve a sales tax increase this May that will help pay for road improvements. Clark says Democrats might be more inclined to endorse the plan because of the inclusion of $300 million in funding for schools.
- Jobs and skill training. Governor Snyder is interested in workforce development and increasing Michigan's skilled trades. He says it will appeal to potential large and small manufacturers. Pluta says Governor Snyder has repeatedly stated that having a highly trained, skilled workforce would allow Michigan to jump ahead of the competition and he will be sure to stress this tonight.
