Part 7/9:
This scandal unfolds against a backdrop of economic strain across Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in her recent speech, acknowledged signs that Michigan’s economy is waning—characterized by inflation, sluggish wage growth, dropping credit scores, and rising unemployment fueled partly by tariffs and manufacturing declines.
While the Governor emphasizes working with federal and local partners to stabilize the economy, Republican critics argue that wasteful spending and misappropriations like the ghost employee scandal exacerbate financial difficulties by diverting resources from critical needs.