Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Call for Increased Education Investments and Housing Development in Her State of the State Address

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate on January 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, MI. In her speech, Whitmer called on lawmakers to pass increased investments in education and housing to save residents money and build a Michigan where they can “make it” no matter who they are or what they’ve been through.

Whitmer’s speech came as the state House was tied 54-54 until at least April, when special elections for two open seats were expected to take place. The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and her call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget.

The governor’s call for increased education investments included initiatives such as free community college for all high school graduates and free preschool for 4-year-olds. She also proposed the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

Whitmer’s speech highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Much of the work highlighted in Whitmer’s speech aligned with the key issues that national Democrats are stressing ahead of the November election. Voter sentiment toward the party’s agenda in Michigan could prove vital for an upcoming presidential election that could hinge on the battleground state’s results.

Whitmer also used the opportunity to highlight policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor also proposed the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups. Many of these proposals, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget.

It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far.

Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push through their agenda beginning in late April.

Whitmer’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

The governor’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address focused on cutting costs for residents by increasing investments in education and housing. Her initiatives, including free community college for all high school graduates and free preschool for 4-year-olds, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. The governor’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

Whitmer’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far. Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push through their agenda beginning in late April.

Whitmer’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

The governor’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far. Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push through their agenda beginning in late April.

Whitmer’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

The governor’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far. Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push through their agenda beginning in late April.

Whitmer’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

The governor’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far. Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push through their agenda beginning in late April.

Whitmer’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

The governor’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far. Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push through their agenda beginning in late April.

Whitmer’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

The governor’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far. Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push through their agenda beginning in late April.

Whitmer’s call for increased education investments came as Michigan ranked near the bottom of all states in population growth, median income, and new housing. She focused on addressing these issues through economic development, proposing the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.

The governor’s speech also highlighted policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work,” overhaul gun laws in the state, and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

Republican leaders criticized Whitmer for what they described as five years without substantive improvements in education, infrastructure, or economic development in the state. They described her agenda as “short-term ideas that are designed to generate a lot of press and attention toward perhaps national political ambitions.”

The governor’s initiatives, including the free community college plan and Whitmer’s call for free pre-K for 4-year-olds by the end of the year, will require funding in the upcoming state budget. It remains to be seen how soon, if at all, Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. Several key proposals that Whitmer called for last year, including paid family and medical leave, have yet to receive approval from lawmakers and remained absent from her speech Wednesday.

The state House is set to remain deadlocked until special elections in April, and questions linger over each party’s appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have occurred so far. Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats are slotted to take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow