LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be out of the office and the country this week.

Across the pond.

According to her team, Whitmer is leading a delegation on a week-long trade mission to the United Kingdom and Ireland. Whitmer said the trip reinforces “Michigan’s commitment to expanding trade, tourism, and economic partnership with two of Europe’s key economies.” In addition, Whitmer is traveling with representatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD), and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Frequent traveler.

MORE NEWS: Fewer Students Held Back In Michigan’s K-12 Schools

It’s not the first time Whitmer has left Michigan to look for economic opportunities elsewhere. Last month, she traveled to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. That trip cost the Michigan taxpayer $176,232.64, as detailed in this itinerary. During that trip, Whitmer left the Michigan legislature behind to hammer out a deal on sick time and tipped wage changes for restaurant workers in Michigan. Lawmakers secured a deal in the eleventh hour.

In December 2024, Whitmer visited Spain on a similar economic mission and spent an upwards of $70,000 in taxpayer money, according to several reports. Last week, Whitmer stayed in the country, traveling to Tucson, Arizona for what some speculate is an attempt to look presidential for 2028.

“A taxpayer-funded spring break trip.”

Meanwhile, some lawmakers have pushed back on Whitmer’s globetrotting, saying the governor belongs in the state. Currently, the legislature is working on the new budget and securing a road funding package. State Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) did not mince words about Whitmer leaving the country.  “I guess college kids spring break to Florida and senior government officials spring break to Europe,” Rep. Borton said. “I don’t care what the politically correct name for this waste of a trip is; this is nothing more than a taxpayer-funded spring break vacation for the governor and her senior department officials.”

Rep. Borton added, “House Republicans are going to need assurances that working-class tax dollars aren’t going to continue funding these ridiculous overseas trips. People want their tax dollars to fix the roads, expand educational opportunities, and secure quality emergency services, not allow the governor to spend her way into fancy dinners with foreign leaders,” he said.