Gretchen Whitmer’s last State of the State: Literacy, legacy and a Trump thank you

February 26, 2026

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer used her final State of the State address to outline key priorities for her last year in office, with particular emphasis on addressing the state's literacy crisis after Michigan students ranked 44th nationally in fourth-grade reading. The governor proposed a multi-faceted agenda including $250 million in literacy-related spending, creation of a state-level affordable housing tax credit, and new protections against medical debt burdens. While calling for bipartisan cooperation and even thanking President Trump for supporting a military mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Whitmer also pledged to protect LGBTQ+ residents and vowed to continue opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge despite federal opposition.

Who is affected

Michigan K-12 students, particularly fourth graders and third graders with poor reading scores
Boys, who rank lower than girls in reading across all grades
Working-class families seeking affordable housing
LGBTQ+ and transgender Michigan residents
Patients facing medical debt
Medicaid beneficiaries
Michigan teachers requiring training and support
Local governments concerned about zoning legislation changes
Immigrants and residents in districts near the Romulus ICE detention center

What action is being taken

Governor Whitmer is calling for earlier literacy interventions using proven methods
The state is continuing its multi-year effort to expand free access to preschool
A state Senate committee has advanced a two-bill package to limit how medical debt providers can recoup costs from patients
Bipartisan House lawmakers have introduced legislation to streamline zoning requirements
Michigan lawmakers are discussing ways to address medical debt

Why it matters

This matters because Michigan students are significantly falling behind national standards in reading proficiency despite increased funding and staffing, threatening their future economic competitiveness and critical thinking abilities. The state's lack of an affordable housing tax credit puts it at a disadvantage compared to neighboring states and contributes to workers being priced out of homeownership. Medical debt continues to devastate Michigan families financially, affecting credit scores and potentially leading to home foreclosures. The address also signals the final opportunity for Whitmer to advance her policy agenda before leaving office, making cooperation between the term-limited Democratic governor and Republican-controlled legislature crucial for achieving any meaningful changes.

What's next

Whitmer's successor will need to continue addressing the literacy challenge
The legislature will consider Whitmer's proposed $88 billion executive budget, including $100 million for high-impact tutoring, $100 million for literacy curriculum, and $50 million for teacher training
Lawmakers will debate the proposed state-level affordable housing tax credit
The legislature will consider legislation to streamline zoning and demolish construction requirements
Lawmakers will weigh proposals to cap interest rates on medical debt, ban medical debt from credit reports, prohibit liens or foreclosures on homes due to medical debt, and require hospitals to establish financial assistance programs
The Gordie Howe International Bridge will open
House Speaker Matt Hall plans to seek Whitmer's support for his proposal to eliminate state property taxes and lower utility rates

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com