LANSING — Governor Gretchen Whitmer used her first State of the State of her second term to call for policies that would help working families. Whitmer called for lowering costs, more manufacturing in Michigan, putting Michigan children back on track after the pandemic, increased public safety & gun violence prevention and protecting the fundamental freedoms of Michiganders.
LOWERING MI COSTS
Governor Whitmer discussed the Lowering MI Costs plan which would repeal the retirement tax, boost the Working Families Tax Credit, and deliver pre-K for all so every child in Michigan gets a great start. Whitmer claimed that by repealing the retirement tax 500,000 households would save an average of $1,000 a year. She explained that by boosting the Working Families Tax Credit a combined $3,000 refund would go to 700,000 working families, directly benefitting 45% of the kids in Michigan. Whitmer also called for delivering pre-K for all and claimed it would save families $10,000 a year and put all 110,000 4-year-olds in Michigan on a path to a brighter future.
MAKE IT IN MICHIGAN
Governor Whitmer proposed the Make it in Michigan package, a sustainable funding source for Michigan’s bipartisan economic development fund to invest more in bringing new jobs for Michiganders. Whitmer stated that with this funding, Michigan can power economic development efforts year-round, move faster to compete for companies on the cutting-edge of manufacturing, and bring more supply chains home. Getting this done will create long-term economic opportunity in building cars, chips, and clean energy in our state and help ensure young people deciding where to start their lives choose Michigan.
MI KIDS BACK ON TRACK
Governor Whitmer called on leaders on both sides of the aisle to expand on the MI Kids Back on Track plan that she introduced last year. The governor called on the legislature to make a record investment in tutoring by Spring Break so Michigan can offer every child more 1-on-1 time with a caring, qualified educator and more time to master the skills they need to succeed. This will offer students the support they need and help Michigan families keep more of their hard-earned money. MI Kids Back on Track will help our state’s economy grow long-term.
PUBLIC SAFETY & GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Governor Whitmer proposed an additional comprehensive investment in law enforcement including better training, oversight, and access to mental health resources to keep Michigan communities safe. To reduce gun violence, she is proposing commonsense reforms—universal background checks, safe storage laws, and extreme risk protection orders—so we can make sure guns are kept out of the hands of those who might represent a danger to themselves or others and stored safely at home. The governor is working to ensure Michiganders feel safe whether at home, work, or school.
PROTECTING FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS
As a part of her Make it in Michigan plan, Governor Whitmer proposed legislative action to attract new business and recruit and retain young talent. She proposed repealing Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban and other outdated laws restricting people’s ability to control their own bodies, shaming them for seeking reproductive health care, and restricting who they can marry. She is also calling for an expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. With these proposals, Michigan can build on its reputation as a welcoming beacon of opportunity where anyone can succeed.
