In Review: 2026 State of the State Address

Photo credit: State of Michigan

This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address as Michigan’s governor, touting her wins in office, sharing her priorities for the rest of her term, and charting the path forward for the state. 

“Whitmer entered office as a friend and will depart as a friend. Her enduring popularity reflects her genuine connection with Michiganders, as she has advanced several critical, long-term policy initiatives long championed by the Detroit Regional Chamber,” said Sandy K. Baruah, the Chamber’s President and Chief Executive Officer. 

The bulk of her address focused on three key priorities for the final months of her administration. 

• Whitmer emphasized Michigan’s low 4th‑grade reading ranking (44th) and outlined her “Every Child Reads” plan focusing on early childhood literacy, proven science‑of‑reading instruction, and expanded tutoring support.  

• She highlighted bipartisan progress in education as well, especially through programs like Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and Futures for Frontliners, which continue to be groundbreaking and critical to educating citizens for the careers of tomorrow.  

• However, she stressed the work must continue after she leaves office to close gender gaps and elevate statewide reading outcomes. 

Related | Learn More About Where Michigan Ranks on Key Economic Metrics in the Latest Michigan Voter Poll 

• Whitmer called for renewed focus on job-creation incentives to stay competitive with states like Ohio and Indiana amid national economic uncertainty.

• She urged bipartisan cooperation to modernize Michigan’s economic development tools and attract more good-paying jobs to the state.

• To address housing shortages and high costs, Whitmer proposed creating a state affordable housing tax credit and reducing local zoning barriers to speed up construction.

• She argued that modernizing building rules and cutting red tape would enable more multifamily homes, in‑law suites, and walkable communities attractive to young workers.

• Whitmer proposed capping interest on medical debt, removing it from credit reports, requiring hospital financial‑assistance programs, and banning home liens or foreclosures tied to medical bills.

• She warned federal changes to Medicaid and ACA subsidies will increase costs, urging state-level action and new revenue to protect coverage and stabilize the Medicaid system.

The Governor touted some key successes, many of which the Chamber played a strong role in supporting.

• Whitmer has delivered on her promise to ‘fix the damn roads’ after working with Speaker Matt Hall and has elevated Michigan’s reputation as a welcoming state by strengthening the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

• She worked with Republican President Donald Trump and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel to secure the future of Selfridge Air Base and successfully expanded the Working Families Tax Credit – all while advocating to keep Michigan at the forefront of a rapidly changing mobility industry.

• She also touted economic achievements like new factories, restarting the Palisades nuclear plant, and Detroit’s population growth as long-term wins for Michigan’s competitiveness.