Richard Tharrett Writing Samples

Speeches and Talking Points

Lieutenant Governor Talking Points for Outdoor Recreation Stakeholder Conversation

February 17, 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   

MESSAGE 
It’s great to be back in the UP to focus on how we can expand access to outdoor recreation for
Michiganders.  
 
Two years ago, I attended a brainstorming event with many of you on how outdoor recreation
can be invested in and expanded for our Upper Peninsula. 
 
Coming back today, it’s clear you stuck with it. With a new focus on electric recreational
vehicles, sustainably built trail systems, and even more innovative recreation plans here in the
UP, I want to thank you all for finding ways to bring Michigan to the forefront in outdoor
recreation. 
 
Combined with a new commitment of funding from the State of Michigan, I’m excited to see
what the future holds.  
 
By now, all of you know that Michigan is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world.
From the Porcupine Mountains here in the UP to our Great Lakes which hold over 20% of the
world’s fresh water, we are blessed to steward these natural resources which people living in
this region have protected and enjoyed for centuries.  
 
Not only does Michigan's natural beauty give Michiganders the opportunity to enjoy the great
outdoors, it give our state the opportunity to enrich the prosperity and economic growth of
communities across our state with investments in outdoor recreation.   
 
Today, Michigan is poised to be a leader in the outdoor recreation economy. With our increased
investments in parks and public lands, the outdoor recreation sector of out GDP is growing
faster than nearly any other state.   
 
Michigan’s outdoor recreation industry currently provides over $10 billion in value added to
Michigan’s GDP, supports over 120,000 jobs, and saves Michiganders $2.75 billion annually in
avoided health costs.   
 
That’s huge! And we can do even more to bring the great outdoors to Michiganders and grow
our economy.   
 
Let’s take a look at what we have done and what we are going to enrich the lives of
Michiganders with outdoor recreation.  
 We’re investing in MI Recreation  
 
Governor Whitmer & I are committed to helping more Michiganders experience the great
outdoors that Michigan has to offer.  
 
Over the past few years, we have invested over $500 million in parks, trails, and recreation
facilities to improve the places where our families go to enjoy “Pure Michigan”.  
 
We know that outdoor recreation isn’t just good for our personal health and well-being, but it’s
also a big part of improving the health of Michigan’s economy. The expansion of both public
outdoor recreation and the outdoor industry has the potential to create jobs and build prosperity
in our communities all while bringing a little more fresh air to Michiganders.  
 
That’s why at the outset of her first term, Governor Whitmer created the Office of Outdoor
Recreation Industry to work with business partners to grow Michigan’s outdoor industry and
expand recreation opportunities.  
 
We are continuing our commitment to making “Pure Michigan” more accessible to everyone
with Governor Whitmer’s new budget which invests $4 million in funding for every 4th grader to
take a field trip to one of Michigan’s beautiful state parks and experience the outdoors.  
 
And there will be even more big investment in our state and local parks to come.  
 
I look forward to working with you all to elevate Michigan to THE leader in outdoor recreation
and to expand access to the great outdoor for every Michigander. 
 
Thank you. 
 
 
Governor Speech for DTE and Stellantis Announcement

DATE: MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2022  

TPS: DTE AND STELLANTIS ANNOUNCEMENT   
 
Acknowledgments: 

 
Today, we celebrate a big step in the right direction for Michigan.
 Stellantis is partnering with DTE to announce 400 megawatts of new solar projects in
Michigan. 
 This is the second largest renewable energy purchase from a utility in our country’s
history – the equivalent of powering over 120,000 homes annually with clean energy. 
 This investment will propel Stellantis towards its goal to achieve carbon neutrality
globally by 2038 and cut carbon emissions in half by the end of this decade.
 It will help Stellantis power all 70 of its southeast Michigan sites with 100% wind and
solar by 2026.  
 That means by 2026, Stellantis will use the equivalent of 100% carbon-free electricity to
manufacture every car, truck, or SUV that rolls off the line here in Michigan. 
 
I’m excited to add that this will help us meet the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan I
unveiled at the beginning of the year.
 The MI Healthy Climate Plan aims to create jobs, lower energy costs, and build a more
prosperous, sustainable Michigan by achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. 
 It includes a ‘Roadmap to 2030,’ which has specific actions we can take right now to
reduce emissions by 52% in this decade. 
 The actions outlined in the plan will help Michigan become energy independent, protect
our natural resources, and spur economic development. 
 If we get it done, we will generate 60% of our electricity from renewable energy, build a
charging network to support 2 million electric vehicles, protect 30% of our unparalleled
natural resources, and so much more.  
 
I am committed to creating sustainable, good-paying jobs right here in Michigan. 
 I directed state government to deploy solar panels on state lands, expand financing
options for renewables, and get on track to power 100% of state facilities with clean
energy by 2025. 
 I signed bipartisan budgets investing millions in climate resilient infrastructure and clean
energy upgrades for families and businesses. 
 With our partners at the Office of Future Mobility, we are making Michigan the best place
to manufacture, test, and deploy electric vehicles and putting Michigan in the lead on
innovative partnerships to expand EV infrastructure. 
 Thanks to the work we’ve done, Michigan has the fastest-growing clean energy sector in
the nation. 

Today’s announcement demonstrates how we can bring the public and private sectors
together to build on that progress. 
 We are on the road to a clean energy economy.
 With increasing investments in our state’s solar capacity, I am ready to work with anyone
who will help Michigan move forward in building a more sustainable and preposterous
economy.
 Let’s keep working together to create jobs, bring supply chains home, and boost clean
energy production. 
  Let’s invest in our communities, our people, and our future. Thank you!
Governor Speech for Parade Company Pancake Breakfast

DATE: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2022 

TPS: PARADE COMPANY PANCAKE BREAKFAST 

Acknowledgments: 
 Tony Michaels and Parade Company board members, staff, volunteers. 
 Dan Loepp and Blue Cross Blue Shield team for their sponsorship. 
 Parade sponsor Gardner White, all the sponsors, and community and elected leaders
who make the Parade a success. 

It’s great to be with the Parade Company this morning to officially kick off the holiday
season! 
 It’s good to see so many folks turnout to support this Detroit tradition and even more
impressive to see how many skilled pancake flippers we have in this community. Last
year I pulled off a pretty fancy Spartan “S” pancake.  
 You know, the rules for making good pancakes aren’t that different from the rules for
getting things done in government.  
 You need the right mix with the right ingredients—just like infrastructure. 
 You have to wait for the bubbles to rise and the right time to take action, like any good
legislative strategy. 
 And when you flip to make sure both sides look good, you take a risk. But you have to
reach across the aisle and take risks to get things done.  

And as we kick off the official countdown to Thanksgiving, I want to share some other
things I’m thankful for.  
 First, my husband, my daughters, my family, and my dogs, Kevin and Doug! 
 In the spirit of teamwork, I’m thankful for my partners in the legislature for working with
me on 975 bipartisan bills.  
 I’m thankful for the over $14 billion dollars and nearly 14,000 jobs we secured for
Michigan by collaborating on economic development. 
 As a mom, I’m thankful for the record bipartisan investments in education we’ve made to
help every kid in every classroom pursue their potential.  
 I’m thankful for the scholarships we established which will lower the cost of college by
thousands for the vast majority of seniors starting next year.  
 I’m thankful for all those orange cones and barrels. Each one is a sign we are moving
dirt and fixing the damn roads.  

But maybe most of all, I’m thankful for Michiganders who have the grit and determination
to make this state the best in the country. And you know I’m thankful for Detroit—a city
that’s on the move.  
 The city is livelier than ever, kids are in classrooms, and innovators and entrepreneurs
are creating jobs and economic opportunity.  
 The simple truth is that Detroit is on the move because of Detroiters.  
 I am thankful for the spirit of resilience and togetherness I see in this city and across
Michigan. I’m thankful to serve as your governor. Now let’s flip some pancakes!  
 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

March 6, 2023  
Contact: press@michigan.gov  
 
Governor Whitmer Proclaims March 6 – 10, 2023 as School Breakfast Week in
Michigan, Highlights Plan for Free School Meals to Promote Healthy Learning 
 
Education budget proposal includes plan to offer all 1.4 million students in Michigan with free breakfast
and lunch, ensuring the health and wellbeing of Michigan's learners and future leaders. 
    
 
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen proclaimed March 6 – 10, 2023 as School Breakfast Week
in Michigan and highlighted her education budget initiative to offer free breakfast and lunch to all 1.4
million public school students in Michigan. The state would become just the 4 th to get this done and
improve the overall health and wellness of students across the state. 

“It’s hard for kids to learn on an empty stomach,” said Governor Whitmer. “Every student should be
able to start their day with nutritious meal so they can stay energized throughout the day and focus on
class. Let’s deliver on my budget proposal to offer all 1.4 million public school students in Michigan free
breakfast and lunch, saving families over $850 a year and helping them succeed.”  

[Insert Stakeholder Quotes]

Research shows that children who eat breakfast are more likely to reach higher levels of achievement in
reading and mathematics, perform better on assessments, have increased memory and concentration,
and maintain a healthy weight.  
 
To view the full proclamation, click here    
 
Investing in Healthy Learning  
 
Last month, the governor proposed her fifth budget making record investments in education including
in-class resources, mental health, campus safety, school infrastructure, and tutoring.  The education
budget proposes.
 
The governor’s budget proposal includes a plan to deliver dedicated per-student resources for mental
health to help hire more on-campus mental health professionals to serve our kids where they are.  
 
Expanding on Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan Goal 3 to Improve the health, safety, and
wellness of all learners, the governor’s budget proposal delivers dedicated per-student resources to help
hire more on-campus security personal to improve student safety. 
 
###  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
February 01, 2023  
Contact: press@michigan.gov  
   
Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist Celebrate Black History Month 
  
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist recognized the
beginning of Black History Month with a proclamation honoring the contributions of Black Americans to
the progress of both Michigan and the United States.   
  
“This February, we celebrate the immeasurable role Black Americans have played in forging a stronger
and more equitable future for both Michigan and our nation,” said Governor Whitmer. “From civil rights
activist Sojourner Truth to Motown legend Aretha Franklin to our own Lieutenant Govenor, Michigan is
stronger because of the bravery and vision of Black Americans. During Black History Month, we are
reminded that it’s up to all of us to live up to values of equality, justice, and unity that have served as
the bedrock for American progress. Together, we can build a more equitable and representative
Michigan where every person has a path to opportunity.”   
  
“Black History Month is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the powerful reverberations of the
actions of Black Americans throughout history,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “Across our state and our
country, the contributions of Black Americans to our collective knowledge, consciousness, and culture
are immeasurable. As we celebrate, let us not forget our continued commitment and responsibility to
activate the potential that exists in the next generation of young Black Americans.” 
 
[Insert Stakeholder Quotes]
  
During this month, Michiganders are encouraged to reflect on our continued commitment to freedom,
progress, and equity in our communities, and to celebrate Black Americans’ struggles, bravery, and vital
contributions to our state and the United States. Michigan is home to several sites and artifacts such as
the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Rosa Parks Bus at the Henry Ford
Museum, the Motown Museum, and countless other sites which showcase Black history in our local
communities.  To find out more about Black history sites in Michigan, visit:
https://www.michigan.org/blackhistory. 
   
You can view the proclamation here.  
  
###