Tonight, before a join convention of the Michigan Senate and the House of Representatives, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her first State of the State address. She began with stating her eagerness to get things done for Michigan and to work together with her partners in the legislature. The state’s problems aren’t partisan; from roads to schools to drinking water. The governor highlighted the diversity of our state and the reason that many moved to Michigan, including opportunities and jobs and a call to continue those opportunities in order to continue to attract people to Michigan.

There are two major crisis the state is facing, the first being our failing infrastructure. Highlighting that only 18% of roads have been rated as good, she stated how the conditions can cause serious problems, from property damage to personal injury. Additionally, she touched on the cost to Michiganders due to damage to their vehicles from the roads. Governor Whitmer urged immediate action. She called on citizens to share their stories of how the poor road conditions have negatively impacted them, for businesses to share what it means to their bottom line, and legislators to talk with local leaders to prioritize issues important in their districts. Governor Whitmer also called for safer roads and for Michigan to join the sixteen other states who have passed hands free legislation.

Continuing on infrastructure, the governor highlighted the continuing problem of a lack of access to safe drinking water throughout the state. Stating the problem is caused not only from old pipes but also from PFAS contamination entering our water. 

The second crisis is education and skills in our state, something that impacts every Michigan resident. She pointed to reduced spending on education funding throughout the years as a cause, as well as a lack of opportunity in the system. She stated that greater investment alone won’t fix the problem and she is committed to finding a solution for Michigan’s kids. Furthermore, the poor education is an economic problem. She often hears from business leaders that their top challenge is the skills gap in the state.

Governor Whitmer said these problems weren’t created by a particular party or politician. She called on the state to make bold changes in order to build a stronger Michigan. Highlighting the several executive directives she’s issued since taking office that she believes will achieve that, including a process for state employees to highlight concerns about public health and welfare. Additionally, Governor Whitmer called for an expansion of FOIA to both the legislature and the executive office to help increase transparency in the state.  

In switching to building a stronger economy, she called for all citizens to have a path to skills. The jobs of today and the future will require new and additional education and training. Governor Whitmer has set a goal of increasing the rate of residents between the age of 16-64 with a post-secondary credential to 60% by 2030. 

The governor announced three paths to skills in Michigan:

1. Launching the Michigan Reconnect to help Michigan residents who need new skills to advance or keep their jobs and to help disadvantaged workers.
2. MI Opportunities Scholarship – To help graduating high school students who don’t want a four-year education, she is proposing a two-year scholarship beginning in the fall of 2020, guaranteeing community college for all.
3. For graduating high school seniors who want to attend a four-year university, they can utilize the MI Opportunities Scholarship for two-years of tuition assistance.

Governor Whitmer reconfirmed her commitment to quality and affordable healthcare for all residents, and stated she is committed to defending the Healthy Michigan Plan. First, she sent President Trump a letter expressing her concerns over a work requirement to participate in the program. Second, on behalf of the state, Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined the litigation defending the Affordable Care Act.

Next month, the governor will present her budget; focusing on fixings roads and bridges, addressing the problems in the education system, and reaffirming her commitment to help all of Michigan’s residents.  She expressed her eagerness to work across the aisle to solve big problems, such as the high cost of auto insurance in Michigan. However, Governor Whitmer highlighted several reasons she may veto a bill; such as a bill that doesn’t fix a problem or that removes the right of citizens to issue a referendum. The governor also called on the legislature to not break for the summer without a budget in place. Wrapping up the address, she talked about building bridges and working together to make Michigan a great place for people to work and live.

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