EXPERTS ADVISORY

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder will address various issues during his State of the State address Tuesday (Jan. 19). University of Michigan experts are available to comment on his speech.

Aaron Kall, director of the U-M Debate Program and Debate Institute, can discuss speeches given by elected officials.

“Gov. Snyder’s sixth State of the State address on Tuesday night will no doubt be under tremendous statewide and national scrutiny,” he said. “President Obama’s recent federal emergency declaration and Hillary Clinton’s extended focus on Flint during Sunday night’s Democratic debate have further elevated the stakes for the Governor in tomorrow night’s address. While the water crisis in Flint will be prominently featured, the struggling Detroit Public Schools District, future of the auto industry, and criminal justice and energy reform will also appear on the periphery.”

Contact: 734-239-3996, akall@umich.edu

Robin Queen is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and chair of the Department of Linguistics. Her research includes language and mass media.

“It will be instructive to pay attention to how any note of sympathy is expressed by the governor and the degree to which the broader systemic dynamics leading to the crises are included,” she said. “If recent expressions of sympathy in the face of tragedy are a gauge, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are few specifics to solve the crisis.”

Contact: 734-764-0353, rqueen@umich.edu