State Rep. Karl Bohnak, R-Deerton, on Wednesday released the following statement regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address. The governor has recently shown a willingness to work collaboratively with legislative Republicans, something Bohnak says he hopes carries over into conversations about energy.

“I’m glad the governor is continuing to reach across the aisle and work with Republicans to tackle the issues that matter most to Michigan residents. People in the Upper Peninsula are tired of divisive policies and political showmanship, and it looks like the governor is tired of it too. If House Republicans can partner with the governor and Senate Democrats to save our tipped workers and small businesses, I’m confident we can continue those bipartisan negotiations into discussions on roads and energy.

“I’m disappointed the governor didn’t talk about energy much. But she did talk a lot about working together, so I’m hoping she realizes the U.P. needs reliable and affordable energy that doesn’t go out when the weather gets bad. That’s why we need to pass my plan to keep our RICE (Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine) generators online. The governor and I may not agree on a lot – but I’m hoping we can agree that securing energy access U.P. families can count on is critical in the coming year.”

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