Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited the Grand Rapids Community College’s Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC Center on Monday, March 7 to meet with students and discuss the auto insurance refund checks.
GRCC communications and the governor’s staff did not notify The Collegiate about the visit in advance, so this publication was not able to send a reporter to cover the event. GRCC was made aware of the visit last week.
“The Governor’s office requested using GRCC’s automotive technology labs to discuss the auto insurance refunds,” said GRCC Communications Director Dave Murray. “The college was proud to be a host, and used the opportunity to show the governor our state-of-the-art facilities and introduce her to students who are gaining in-demand skills they are confident will lead to rewarding careers.”
According to a press release, Whitmer toured the GRCC’s automobile tech labs and gave a speech with a few guest speakers including Anita Fox, the director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, a small trucking business owner, Shawn Jones, and Kentwood Public School Homeless Student Liaison, Sarah Weir.
Fox announced that the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association will transfer $3 billion in surplus funds to Michigan auto insurers. The transfer in funds will be used for auto insurers to send $400 refund checks to every insured driver for all registered vehicles in the state of Michigan no later than May 9.
“These $400 refunds are game changers for so many Michigan families,” Whitmer stated in a news release sent out after the event. “I called for these refunds because I am committed to lowering costs for Michiganders and putting money back in people’s pockets. They are possible because we worked across the aisle to pass bipartisan auto insurance reform, and we will keep working together to grow our economy and build a state where families can thrive.”
Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 10:54 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 to clarify that GRCC communications was aware of the governor’s visit last week and that The Collegiate wasn’t notified in advance about the event.
