Governor Gretchen Whitmer is hoping she and state legislative leaders can start working together soon to get Michigan’s business done.

Speaking to the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Whitmer said things have been slow since the new half-Republican controlled Legislature took office.

“We’re six months in and I just signed bill number five of this session,” Whitmer said. “Now I’m not suggesting that the more bills necessarily means it’s better for Michigan, but there’s not been a whole lot of collaboration yet with this new set of legislative leaders.”

Whitmer said the roads remain a big priority, and she just met with legislative leaders earlier in the day to talk about the specific problem of local roads. While she’s used tactics like securing a huge bond to pay for work on state roads, she said a state bond can’t be used for local roads, and those are the ones that need the most work. Whitmer is hoping the Legislature can put aside campaigning long enough to come up with a plan.

Also, Whitmer said she’s worried the state’s bond rating will be downgraded if lawmakers don’t approve a budget by their self-imposed deadline of June 30.

When asked how Michigan can attract new residents, Whitmer said the state has to tell its unique story, pointing to recent historic preservation awards given to Niles for the Chapin Mansion and Fort St. Joseph.

“That is a huge, should be a huge source of pride for everyone in the community. It shows that we recognize the history and the heritage, but we’re doing cutting edge things to preserve it.”

Whitmer also expressed concern about policies out of Washington, like tariffs. She said Michigan is uniquely vulnerable to a trade war due to its reliance on agriculture and the auto industry. And she warned of the dire effects large cuts to Medicaid will have on Michigan residents if they’re approved.