Mark Burton, Northern Michigan University alumnus and chief strategist for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, will discuss the rural, suburban and urban dynamics of several policy issues addressed in the State of the State during a presentation at NMU. The event begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in Mead Auditorium in the West Science Building and will be followed by a reception in the atrium. The public is invited.
Burton said he is making a personal appearance at the invitation of the NMU Political Science Department and not representing the governor in an official capacity. The Champion native and 1999 NMU public administration graduate will talk about K-12 and higher education, infrastructure, health care, and revenue sharing/other supports for local governments and municipalities.
“There’s always an aspect of policy based on the diverse state we live in,” Burton said. “But it’s more than just the size of the state or the fact it is comprised of two peninsulas. We have some great suburbs and cities and a lot of rural territory. I personally continue to approach things from a U.P. perspective, imagining people like my parents at the dinner table and how policies might impact them. But big topics need to be viewed through all three lenses so that all areas of the state are factored in.”
Burton is part of the executive team that will join Whitmer for Saturday’s Marquette Winter Warmup from 2-4 p.m. at the U.P. Children’s Museum.