State Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, on Wednesday issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s annual State of the State address:

“Michigan is back on its feet now that Republicans have the House majority. The governor is starting to reach across the aisle and work with us. Last week, she signed a bipartisan compromise to reduce red tape and unnecessary costs so small businesses can keep their doors open, workers can keep their jobs, and restaurant servers can keep collecting big tips.

“The governor is also following Republicans’ lead and advocating for a permanent plan to fix our roads, although she has a little further to go until she agrees that we can invest in roads without raising taxes on Michiganders.

“I was also glad to hear the governor echo Republicans, talking about knocking down barriers and costs that make it hard to build new houses and businesses and get in the way of skilled professionals who just want to work and serve their neighbors. I hope the governor keeps this trend up. If she works with Republicans to get our state on the right track, then everyone will ‘think Michigan’ and picture a brighter future.”