Michigan Gov. Whitmer calls for increased investments in education in State of the State address
LANSING, MI — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will call for greater investment in education in a State of the State address Wednesday evening through initiatives such as free community college for all high school graduates and free preschool for 4-year-olds, aimed at saving costs for residents.
The second-term Democratic governor’s speech comes ahead of a legislative session that may require lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to work together for the first time since Democrats took full control of the state government last January. The state House will be tied 54-54 at least until April, when special elections for two open seats will be held.
Whitmer’s speech will highlight an investment of more than a billion dollars to build or renovate housing and call on lawmakers to approve a tax credit of up to $5,000 for healthcare costs, including counseling, transportation and nursing or respite services .
“We will build a Michigan where, if you get knocked down, you will get the support you need to get back up. Cutting costs for the biggest items in your budget, improving education so your children can thrive, and making sure you ‘make it’ no it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve been through,” Whitmer said in prepared remarks to The Associated Press.
The governor will also take the opportunity to highlight policies Democrats implemented in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in more than four decades. Democrats have worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as right-to-work, overhaul the state’s gun laws and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.
Much of the work highlighted in Whitmer’s speech aligned with key issues national Democrats are emphasizing ahead of the November election. Voter sentiment toward the party’s agenda in Michigan could be critical to the upcoming presidential election, which could hinge on the battleground state’s results.
“I cannot solve global inflation alone. No one can do that — not even the president,” said Whitmer, co-chair of President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
Republican leaders criticized Whitmer before her speech because they said there had been no substantial improvements in education, infrastructure or economic development in the state for five years. Rep. Matt Hall, the House minority leader, described Whitmer’s agenda as “short-term ideas designed to generate a lot of press and attention for perhaps national political ambitions.”
Hall and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt each pointed to a report released in December by a bipartisan commission focused on state population growth that Whitmer formed last year. According to the report, Michigan ranks near the bottom of all states in terms of population growth, median income and new housing.
Whitmer has focused on addressing these problems through economic development. On Wednesday, she proposed the implementation of a research and development tax credit and an innovation fund to invest in high-growth startups.
Many of the 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 quickly Whitmer’s initiatives will be brought before state lawmakers. The State House is expected to remain deadlocked until the special election in April, and questions linger about both parties’ appetite for bipartisanship. While the 2024 legislative session began on January 10, few votes have taken place so far.
Two Democratic representatives vacated their seats late last year after winning mayoral races, and special elections for the seats will take place on April 16. Democrats are expected to win both seats easily, which would allow them to push their agenda as of late. April.