SPRINGFIELD — Senate Majority Caucus Whip Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following in response to today’s State of the State address:

“The governor needs to realize these problems are his problems, too.

“Residents who work hard every day, providing for their families, are waiting for real answers.

“I want to work with the governor. However, his actions aren’t keeping up with his rhetoric. Cutting $7 million from at-risk youth employment grants doesn’t make our state competitive. Nor, is it compassionate.

“We need to find common ground solutions. Paying people less and cutting services just doesn’t add up to me.”