Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her entourage of seven burned through more than $25,500 a day during a recent “investment mission” to Europe, the same week nearly 5,000 Michiganders lost their jobs.

There was an elegant dinner at the Duck and Waffle, situated on the 40^th floor of London’s Salesforce Tower, where governor and company took in what the restaurant describes as “breathtaking views over the city from sunrise to sunset.”

They gathered for Sunday High Tea at The Dorchester, soaking in the luxury hotel’s “vibrant spirit and convivial soul,” and toured Parliament.

Whitmer and Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, met with diplomats in the UK, while the governor also made stops at the National Security Agency, Royal Automobile Club, and Holtec International, according to records obtained by Michigan Capitol Confidential.

In Ireland, the crew stayed at The Shelborne, “the best 5 star hotel in Dublin,” while they enjoyed fine dining at the Saddle Room and visited the Guinness Brewery. Some went to the Emerald Isle’s Glen Dimplex R&D Center, and Taoiseach government buildings.

“Whitmer visited the IDA Ireland Headquarters, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, Pog Clontarf, Perrigo and The Celt,” according to MCC.

The total price tag: $204,444, covered by private donations to the MEDC and Michigan Strategic Fund, MEDC spokesman Otie McKinley told the news site.

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“International travel missions are a critical component in our Make it in Michigan economic development strategy,” McKinley wrote in an email. “Building relationships with international companies keeps Michigan top of mind as an ideal place for companies to do business as they look to the United States for potential investment opportunities.”

Others on the trip included Whitmer’s deputy chief of staff Maria Martinez, executive assistant Angel Boshea, MEDC’s investment director for Europe Vlatko Tomic-Boas, MEDC Chief of Protocol Katelyn Wilcox, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen, and Michigan Department of Rural Agriculture and Development Director Tim Boring.

The group returned in late March with plenty of pictures, but not much else to announce from the week-long “investment mission.”

“I was proud to travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland to strengthen our relationships with business and government leaders, tell our story, and make the case for Michigan as the best place to innovate, build the future, and grow,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We are opening doors for new investments, competing for projects and good-paying jobs, and securing Michigan’s place at the forefront of innovation.”

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While the governor was gone, 4,981 Michiganders lost their jobs as Michigan’s unemployment rate continued its climb to 5.5%, the second highest rate in the country.

The trip followed numerous other international “investment missions,” the governor’s repeated book tours, nonstop social media campaigns and relentless politicking on behalf of Democrats that has fueled criticism Whitmer is prioritizing her political ambitions over her constituents.

Whitmer’s other “investment missions” this year included a $69,000 trip to Spain and a $175,000 trip to the United Arab Emirates. Those followed a $141,597 trip to Taiwan last year, and a $285,000 trip to Japan in 2023, MCC reports.

Through the first three quarters of 2024, Whitmer spent a quarter of her time as governor on trips to other places, both national and international, according to analysis by The Detroit News of bonus payments to Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist for serving as governor in her absence.

The relentless travel has infuriated Michigan Republicans, who have encouraged the governor to focus less on globetrotting and more on the state’s most pressing issues: billions in collapsing business development deals, a vacant state Senate seat, the lowest student reading scores in a decade, and a $3.9 billion road funding shortfall.

Whitmer’s most recent “investment mission” to Europe inspired state Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, to propose legislation in March to require the governor’s international travel to gain approval from the Legislature, “ensuring that such expenditures align with the priorities and interest of Michigan taxpayers,” according to a statement from Carra’s office.

“Governor Whitmer has recently racked up quite the cache of frequent flyer miles on the taxpayers’ dime,” Carra said. “Notably, she has used public funds to finance trips abroad to Spain, the UAE, and most recently, Ireland. Given that the Democrats squandered a $9 billion budget surplus and Governor Whitmer has proposed tax hikes for this year’s budget, this legislation is an important step in strengthening accountability of state resources.”

Carra’s House Bill 4310, assigned to the House Committee on Government Operations, would require a detailed plan for approval that includes dates of travel, destination, and purpose of the trip.

“The governor shouldn’t be using taxpayer dollars to fund trips to meet with her global elitist friends who want taxpayer funded corporate handouts in order to attract them to Michigan,” Carra said. “Michigan should attract businesses with an environment that is friendly to all industries, one that doesn’t pick winners or losers. Meanwhile, we have a task force studying why people are leaving our state when it’s her crooked policies that are the very problem, making it unattractive to do business here and pushing companies out of our state.”