{"id":73164,"date":"2026-02-25T21:35:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T02:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?p=73164"},"modified":"2026-02-26T14:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T19:04:14","slug":"gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Gretchen Whitmer\u2019s last State of the State: Literacy, legacy and a Trump thank you"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her eighth and final State of the State address in Lansing Wednesday evening&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The term-limited Democrat proposed new spending on literacy, a new affordable housing tax credits and medical debt safeguards<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Whitmer urged bipartisanship and thanked President Donald Trump for his commitment to Selfridge Air National Guard Base<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>LANSING \u2014 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her eighth and final State of the State address Wednesday night, calling for action to tackle Michigan\u2019s literacy crisis, create an affordable housing tax credit, limit the impact of medical debt and turn the temperature down on partisan fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a roughly 50-minute speech, the term-limited Democrat called for bipartisan cooperation, even thanking Republican President Donald Trump for <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/trump-joined-whitmer-announces-new-jets-selfridge\/\">committing to a new fighter mission<\/a> at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and reflected on her waning tenure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo the people of Michigan: serving as your governor has been the honor of a lifetime,\u201d Whitmer said during the address to a joint session of the Michigan Legislature, which she capped with a farewell: \u201cBig Gretch, out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/watch-live-at-7-pm-gretchen-whitmers-final-state-of-the-state-address\/\"><strong>Watch, read Whitmer\u2019s full State of the State address<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/hey-gov-whitmer-heres-what-michigan-says-is-real-state-of-the-state\/\"><strong>Here\u2019s what Michigan says is real State of the State<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gop-leader-proposes-4-7b-michigan-service-tax-to-pay-for-property-tax-cuts\/\"><strong>GOP leader proposes service tax to pay for property tax cuts<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The governor also touted state investments in education but acknowledged that Michigan students are falling behind, <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-spent-big-fix-schools-result-worse-scores-and-plenty-blame\/?_gl=1*8o3y1u*_gcl_au*MTUwNTA5MDQ0NS4xNzY0NzY5MDk2*_ga*MjA3NzQ4MjgxMS4xNzI1NDYyMTQy*_ga_SDMLQHFB10*czE3NjU0NzcwMzIkbzE1MjgkZzEkdDE3NjU0NzkyNjIkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_1E2G9MSHX5*czE3NjU0NzcwMzIkbzE1MzEkZzEkdDE3NjU0NzkyNTQkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_KX5CRZVP9F*czE3NjU0NzcwMzIkbzQ0MSRnMSR0MTc2NTQ3OTI1NCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.\">ranking 44th in the nation<\/a> for fourth-grade reading on a 2024 assessment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This is a serious problem,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Our kids deserve better.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what to know about the governor&#8217;s big address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Whitmer urges action on <strong>literacy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer used her speech to emphasize what she had already said will be <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/whitmer-says-solving-literacy-crisis-in-michigan-remains-her-no-1-priority\/\">her top priority<\/a> during her final year in office: improving student reading scores and literacy in Michigan schools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She called for earlier literacy interventions using \u201cproven methods and extra help&#8221; and touted her multi-year effort to expand free access to preschool, saying that children are more likely to have higher literacy rates if reading is taught at earlier ages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite more money, more staffing and new laws passed by the state Legislature, Michigan K-12 schools have <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/michigan-spent-big-fix-schools-result-worse-scores-and-plenty-blame\/?_gl=1*1i40aha*_gcl_au*ODU0NDU4Mzc0LjE3NjUyMDUyNTA.*_ga*MzIxNzg4OTMyLjE3MjYwODUxODc.*_ga_SDMLQHFB10*czE3NjYxNTY0OTkkbzkyMiRnMSR0MTc2NjE1ODk2NCRqNDYkbDAkaDA.*_ga_1E2G9MSHX5*czE3NjYxNTY0OTckbzkzNyRnMSR0MTc2NjE1ODk2OSRqMzkkbDAkaDA.*_ga_KX5CRZVP9F*czE3NjYxNTY0OTckbzI3MiRnMSR0MTc2NjE1ODk2OSRqMzkkbDAkaDA.\">fallen behind<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students here ranked 44th in the nation for fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Third-grade reading scores reached <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/m-step-results-third-grade-english-language-arts-reaches-new-low\/\">a new low on state tests<\/a> last year too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" data-attachment-id=\"73167\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/attachment\/260225-nessel-benson-sots\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"260225-nessel-benson-sots\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson were on hand for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer&amp;#8217;s final State of the State address. (Lauren Gibbons\/Bridge Michigan).&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C771&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots.jpg?resize=1024%2C771&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Dana Nessel and Jocelyn Benson\" class=\"wp-image-73167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C771&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C578&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1157&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1542&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C301&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C904&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1506&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C587&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nessel-benson-sots-1024x771.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson were on hand for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer&#8217;s final State of the State address. (Lauren Gibbons\/Bridge Michigan).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Those poor scores aren\u2019t \u201cthe fault of any one person, party or event,\u201d Whitmer said, calling literacy a \u201cnational challenge\u201d that her successor will need to continue grappling with. Boys, she added, also rank lower than girls in reading in every grade.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur economy demands every child possess stronger reading, writing and critical thinking skills than ever before, and yet, we&#8217;re not keeping up with top states,\u201d Whitmer said. \u201cBut we can. We can close the gender gap and raise the bar for all kids. We can compete, but we must change to win.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer proposed new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/budget\/-\/media\/Project\/Websites\/budget\/Fiscal\/Executive-Budget\/FY27-Exec-Rec\/Executive-Budget-Supporting-Documents\/FY27-Education-Briefing-Papers.pdf\">literacy-related spending<\/a> in the $88 billion executive budget she released earlier this month, which calls for $100 million for a new high-impact tutoring program, $100 million for literacy curriculum and $50 million for teacher training.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Republicans have signalled a willingness to work with Whitmer on literacy but have also blamed her for the falling test scores.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s about time,\u201d Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, said in an official response video, accusing Whitmer of \u201cgutting standards\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gov-gretchen-whitmer-poised-sign-repeal-michigan-read-or-flunk-law\/\">repealing a 2016 law<\/a> requiring schools to hold back third graders who test more than a year behind in reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"753\" data-attachment-id=\"73168\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/attachment\/260225-nesbitt-sots\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1882&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1882\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"260225-nesbitt-sots\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;#8216;It\u2019s about time,&amp;#8217; Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt said of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer&amp;#8217;s literacy push. (Lauren Gibbons\/Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C221&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C753&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots.jpg?resize=1024%2C753&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Aric Nesbitt\" class=\"wp-image-73168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C753&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C221&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C564&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1129&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1505&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C882&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1470&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C573&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C294&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-nesbitt-sots-1024x753.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8216;It\u2019s about time,&#8217; Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt said of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer&#8217;s literacy push. (Lauren Gibbons\/Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking to reporters after the speech, Nesbitt said Whitmer \u201cstruck the right note\u201d on literacy, but failed to acknowledge the administration\u2019s past actions in pushing for change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m willing to join with anybody who&#8217;s willing to get back to the basics of saying phonics-based science, of reading literacy coaches for our teachers, and then also making sure that there&#8217;s tutoring available for those that are behind in schools,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko called the governor\u2019s enthusiasm for literacy and education \u201cfantastic.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe understand that we have some foundations here\u2026but what we want to do is expand on that,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we really want to push the bar, we have to continue to provide those supports.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A push for \u2018more homes, quicker\u2019&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In an effort to address housing shortages, Whitmer used her State of the State speech to call for a \u201cnew, state-level affordable housing tax credit\u201d that would pair with a federal version to incentivize the construction of housing \u201cfor working-class families.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMichigan\u2019s the only state in our region without this tool,\u201d she said, referencing <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/michigan-affordable-housing-advocates-pitch-42m-tax-credit-plan\/\">a low-income housing tax credit<\/a> that most other states have adopted. \u201cAnd once we create one, it unlocks more federal dollars too. We need to get this done because too many workers are being priced out of homeownership.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In pitching the tax credit earlier this year, advocates with the Michigan Housing Council said it could <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/michigan-affordable-housing-advocates-pitch-42m-tax-credit-plan\/\">cost as much as $42 million<\/a> but create as many as 2,600 additional residences per year in the state.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2026 Michigan State of the State\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9KQRmHPd0iE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer also urged the Legislature to \u201cdemolish\u201d what she called \u201cnonsensical construction requirements\u201d and streamline zoning, a possible reference to <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/michigan-lawmakers-fix-zoning-laws-to-grow-housing\/\">legislation introduced this month<\/a> by a bipartisan coalition of House lawmakers that has sparked pushback by local governments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lead sponsors, Republican Rep. Joe Aragona of Clinton Township and Democratic Rep. Kristian Grant of Grand Rapids, each said they were appreciative the governor had publicly endorsed their plan and looked forward to continuing work on the legislation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s make it easier to build in-law suites and multifamily homes,\u201d Whitmer said. \u201cLet\u2019s modernize lot sizes, setback rules, and parking requirements. By improving zoning and building codes, we can build more homes quicker, at lower cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer&#8217;s housing push drew praise from Business Leaders for Michigan President and CEO Jeff Donofrio. &#8220;States that clear the path move forward \u2014 those that don\u2019t, fall behind,&#8221; he said in a statement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Governor pitches medical debt safeguards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While calling on members of Congress to restore the Affordable Care Act subsidies lawmakers allowed to lapse last year, Whitmer said Michigan can and should do more to lower health care costs for residents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She unveiled a suite of new proposals to help those facing medical bills:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cap interest rates on medical debt, bar medical debt from showing up on a person\u2019s credit report, ban liens or foreclosures on homes due to medical debt and require hospitals to set up financial assistance programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeing sick or getting hurt shouldn\u2019t also mean going broke,\u201d Whitmer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michigan lawmakers have already been discussing ways to address medical debt. A <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/unpaid-medical-debt-michigan-may-soon-limit-how-creditors-can-come-after-it\/\">two-bill package<\/a> advanced earlier this year by a state Senate committee would limit how and when health care facilities or medical debt providers can recoup costs from patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer also urged lawmakers to help \u201cstabilize Medicaid funding\u201d and protect benefits by creating <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmer-raise-800m-taxing-nicotine-gambling-and-ads-for-medicaid\/\">new taxes on vaping, gambling and digital ads<\/a>. Hall and other legislative Republicans have already made clear they will not support the $800 million tax proposal.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Trump thank you, an LGBTQ defense<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer used her final State of the State address to reflect on her time in office and thank legislative leaders, other key lawmakers, family and the general public.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou probably didn\u2019t have this one on your bingo card, but I want to thank President Trump for helping us\u201d bring the fighter mission to Selfridge, she said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the governor also criticized tariffs the president has implemented and appeared to rebuff his threat to block opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit: \u201cFor the first time in over a century, a new bridge connecting Michigan to Canada \u2026 will open,\u201d she said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She also spoke directly to gay and transgender residents in Michigan: \u201cYou belong, you matter, and no matter who comes after you, I\u2019ll stand in the way,\u201d Whitmer said. \u201cI\u2019ll always fight for your freedom and safety, and I\u2019ll veto any legislation that diminishes your humanity. I got your back.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" data-attachment-id=\"73169\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/attachment\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1912\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"260225-whitmer-hall-sots\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C224&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C765&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C765&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C765&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C224&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C574&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1147&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1529&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C299&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C896&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1494&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C583&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-1-1024x765.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">House Speaker Matt Hall and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist stood behind Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in her final State of the State address. (Lauren Gibbons\/Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer credited House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, with working with her on achieving one of her signature goals, a $2 billion deal she called the \u201cbiggest bipartisan roads deal in state history.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hall said he appreciated the callout and expressed optimism on working with her this year, noting that he thought several of her priorities could garner Republican support.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He told reporters he hopes he can make headway with Whitmer on his plan to eliminate state property taxes and lower utility rates, which he is proposing to fund with $4.7 billion in new <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gop-leader-proposes-4-7b-michigan-service-tax-to-pay-for-property-tax-cuts\/\">taxes on select services<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI thought a lot of the things she said were low-hanging fruit \u2014 they were things that were safe and achievable,\u201d Hall said. \u201cI&#8217;m challenging the governor: Let&#8217;s be more bold than that. Let&#8217;s work together on the biggest tax reform in Michigan&#8217;s history.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Some Dems question Trump comment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most Democrats were quick to praise Whitmer\u2019s final State of the State speech, with House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri calling it a \u201chome run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Look, we all know the political environment \u2026 that we&#8217;re in right now, and the reality is that she&#8217;s had an historic tenure in her eight years,&#8221; Puri, D-Canton, told Bridge Michigan. &#8220;Se did a good job recollecting just the progress she&#8217;s made in her eight years, while also talking about some of the things that may be able to get done this calendar year.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"16991\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/business-watch\/michigan-lawmakers-move-reform-corporate-subsidies-hurdles-remain\/attachment\/wegela\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?fit=1300%2C1300&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1300,1300\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"wegela\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Rep. Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City. (Courtesy image)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Man headshot\" class=\"wp-image-16991\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?resize=780%2C780&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela.jpg?w=1300&amp;ssl=1 1300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wegela-1024x1024.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City. (Courtesy image)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Some Democrats including Reps. Dylan Wegela of Garden City and Carrie Rheingans of Ann Arbor were upset Whitmer did little to criticize controversial actions by Trump and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials \u2014 particularly after recent reports of ICE <a href=\"https:\/\/www.woodtv.com\/news\/michigan\/report-ice-purchases-warehouse-in-romulus-plans-to-convert-it-into-detention-center\/\">purchasing a warehouse<\/a> in Romulus for potential use as a detention center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe need to defund, abolish and prosecute ICE, not congratulate the president who commands them and plans to terrorize people right in my district,\u201d Wegela said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Puri acknowledged that some of his members, or even other Democrats, may be upset about the lack of negative mention of the president or ICE enforcement, but noted that \u201cthe reality is, these things are complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere&#8217;s sometimes a willingness or a desire for us to wade into every political issue that&#8217;s out there, but I think the governor stayed on message about things that are under our purview in the state of Michigan,\u201d he said. \u201cThat doesn&#8217;t take away from the fact that this is still a priority item for our members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sen. Jim Runestad, a White Lake Republican and chair of the Michigan Republican Party, blasted the speech in a statement shortly after Whitmer\u2019s remarks, saying he did not have \u201ceven a glimmer of hope that she will fulfill the promises she made tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe past seven years have been a complete and utter disaster under Gov. Whitmer\u2019s leadership, and the only good thing that came from tonight\u2019s speech is that it will be her last,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In her final annual address, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out plans to create a new affordable housing tax credit and limit medical debt. She also thanked President Donald Trump for a commitment to Selfridge. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":233,"featured_media":73198,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-02-26T02:35:31Z","apple_news_api_id":"664eb077-3c62-440e-b558-1a6e023b84c9","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-02-26T19:04:20Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AZk6wdzxiRA61WBpuAjuEyQ","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[2445],"tags":[904,1510,4328],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[2457,2460],"class_list":["post-73164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-michigan-government","tag-gov-gretchen-whitmer","tag-michigan-k-12-schools","tag-top-of-homepage","entry"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Gretchen Whitmer\u2019s last State of the State: Literacy, legacy and a Trump thank you - Bridge Michigan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gretchen Whitmer\u2019s last State of the State: Literacy, legacy and a Trump thank you - Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In her final annual address, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out plans to create a new affordable housing tax credit and limit medical debt. She also thanked President Donald Trump for a commitment to Selfridge.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-26T02:35:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-26T19:04:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/022525_WhitmerSOTSNewsletterHIGH-RES_LG-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jordyn Hermani, Lauren Gibbons\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jordyn Hermani, Lauren Gibbons\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jordyn Hermani\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/e1345693c1e664915491f95af159fa17\"},\"headline\":\"Gretchen Whitmer\u2019s last State of the State: Literacy, legacy and a Trump thank you\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-26T02:35:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-26T19:04:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/\"},\"wordCount\":1959,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/gretchen-whitmers-last-state-of-the-state-literacy-legacy-and-a-trump-thank-you\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/022525_WhitmerSOTSNewsletterHIGH-RES_LG-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Gov. 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Whitmer to propose $5,000 caregiver tax credit for Michigan families","author":"Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press","date":"January 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to call for a tax credit for caregivers that would provide up to $5,000 off their taxes to cover caregiving expenses.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Government&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Government","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-government\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Gov. 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Gretchen Whitmer made 14 promises during her 2025 State of the State address. Here\u2019s how she did.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Government&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Government","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-government\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michigan Gov. 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