Pontiac Times

State Representative Mark Tisdel, a Republican from Rochester Hills, has expressed his concerns about the current state of Michigan in response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address. Tisdel acknowledges the Governor's optimistic outlook but believes that there is a significant disparity between her rhetoric and the actual data.

In his statement, Tisdel highlights the shortcomings of Michigan's education system, stating that it is failing to adequately support students, with the state's high school graduation rate ranking a disappointing 43rd in the nation. Furthermore, he notes that personal incomes in Michigan are at their lowest point since the Great Recession, ranking 39th nationally. Additionally, Michigan's population growth has been lackluster, ranking 46th in the country since 2020.

Representing the Greater Rochester community, Tisdel emphasizes the need for bipartisan collaboration to address these critical issues. He states, "I'm ready to work across the aisle with Gov. Whitmer to help address these most critical issues."

Using a sports analogy, Tisdel compares Michigan to the Detroit Lions football team, suggesting that the state should focus on the fundamentals rather than attempting flashy and risky plays. He argues that without getting the basics right, such as the essential aspects that Michiganders expect, Michigan's economy and education system won't be able to compete with the best in the nation.

In conclusion, Representative Tisdel's statement calls for a renewed focus on addressing the fundamental issues facing Michigan, such as improving the education system and boosting personal incomes. He urges bipartisan cooperation to tackle these challenges head-on and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the essentials before attempting ambitious and risky endeavors.