|
Lowering costs of housing, medical debt, energy and child care amid threat of tariffs Investments to help young Michiganders get skills, find good jobs, provide for their families Commonsense plans to streamline permitting & licensing, improve student academic results & health
LANSING, Mich – On February 26, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her 2025 State of the State Address in front of a joint session of the Michigan Legislature, where she focused on the importance of working with anyone to get things done for Michiganders. She laid out her plans to lower costs for Michigan families, create more good-paying Michigan jobs, and continue delivering results for Michigan taxpayers. The State of the State builds on her Road Ahead Address where, prior to President Trump’s inauguration, she shared her commonsense, bipartisan vision to grow the economy and strengthen the auto industry in anticipation of tariffs. The speech also comes on the heels of her meeting with President Trump where she advocated for Michigan manufacturing and military families. “In 2025, I’m excited to keep working across the aisle to lower costs, create jobs and continue delivering results that make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Whitmer. “Right now, families and businesses are facing high costs and uncertainty from tariffs and our national politics are divided. Michiganders are tired of the games and want strong, bipartisan leadership. Let’s lead by example and show the rest of the country how to get things done.” “Governor Whitmer and I are committed to building a Michigan where every person can be their best selves and access health and wealth,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “When we took our oaths, we promised a responsive government that would listen to every Michigander, and this address includes stories and words from Michiganders across our state. This year, we’ll continue focusing on lowering costs, growing Michigan’s economy, and making government more efficient and effective for every Michigander. Let’s keep standing tall for Michigan.” Governor Whitmer’s 2025 State of the State Address centered stories from Michiganders across the state who all want the same things: a good education, an affordable place to live, more money in their pocket and a fair shot at a great life. “Governor Whitmer made herself loud and clear tonight: our collaborative efforts to drive Michigan forward are working,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). Brinks added: “Since the onset of our Senate Democratic Majority, we’ve worked in tandem with the governor and House to forge a better future for our residents — from expanding civil rights protections and reproductive rights to delivering the largest tax relief plan in state history and making sure no Michigan student goes hungry at school. But our work is not done yet — we’ll continue fighting to lower costs, foster opportunity and improve our quality of life. And we’ll remain open to working with anyone who puts the real needs of our residents first and foremost. We’re in your corner, and together, we’ll continue to prove to the rest of the country just how great it is being a Michigander.” “The State of the State Address is always a monumental occasion full of energy and excitement — and tonight did not disappoint,” said House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton). Puri added: “With all three branches of government present, we recognized the sacred balance of our state’s power and the strength of Michigan’s democracy, as dysfunction reigns at the federal level. As House Democratic Leader, my focus is on bringing to life a vision for our state in which all Michiganders can sleep more soundly knowing that they and their family members are safe, secure and succeeding. For regular, everyday people, that vision looks like lower costs, affordable housing, accessible child care and strong infrastructure. At the state level, we need to make Michigan more resilient than ever to combat the tariffs, chaos and cuts coming down from D.C. I am confident that my fellow House Democratic colleagues and I are united in building Michiganders up so that we can weather any and all storms. We are ready to make our Great Lakes State better than ever.” Key Lines from the Speech: Lowering Costs for Michigan Families Michigan families and businesses are facing high costs on the essentials right now. President Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on our closest trading partners would slow down the construction of homes and factories, lead to thousands of layoffs on the auto assembly line and jack up costs for families by an average of $1,200 a year as companies pass their costs on to consumers. Governor Whitmer will work with anyone to protect Michigan’s economy against policies that would raise prices and cut jobs. The governor highlighted investments she’s proposed in her budget to cut taxes for seniors and working families, build more housing to lower rents and mortgages, expand assistance on energy bills and expand quality, affordable child care for working moms and dads.
Key Lines from the Speech: More Jobs, More Skills, More Money Governor Whitmer said she wants to make it as easy as possible for every Michigander to get the skills or education they need to get a good-paying jobs so they can earn more money and protect and provide for themselves and their families.
Key Lines from the Speech: Results Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has taken action to cut red tape, streamline government and make state government more effective, efficient, and responsive for Michiganders. But there is still more to do so we can build stuff faster, create jobs and improve results for students and parents.
You can the whole speech above. |
