Governor Gretchen Whitmer says President Trump’s proposed citizenship question on the upcoming U.S. Census form will discourage participation. She says that would cost Michigan political power in Washington as well as federal money for schools, health care, and roads.
“I think with a lot of the rhetoric that’s happening in this country right now to add this question will create fear and will keep us from getting a complete count here in the state of Michigan,” she said.
Declining population according to census counts have cost Michigan five congressional seats since the 1980s. But she says it’s not just about representation in Congress.
“It impacts our ability to create jobs, to provide housing, to prepare for emergencies, to build schools, and provide an education. It helps us address even fixing the damn roads. You knew I’d get it in there, right?”
Fixing the roads was Whitmer’s signature campaign promise.
