Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave her State of the State Address January 25th, 2023. The Governor mainly focuses on these points:
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- Save Michigan Families Some Money
- Expand Voting Rights and Protect Election Workers
- Attract & Retain A Young Demographic of Professionals
- Investment in Education and Public Safety
- Investment in Infrastructure & Climate Action Targets
Governor Whitmer says she plans on saving Michigan families some money. Starting out with referencing a plan called “Lower MI Costs“. Essentially, the governor wants to repeal the retiree tax, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and provide pre-k enrollment for all. Governor Whitmer noted that around 2011 the Retiree Tax and reduction of the Working Families Tax Credit was a mistake. She used the verbiage, “gutted” to describe the 2011 change to the Working Families Tax Credit, a.k.a. the EITC. The governor expressed the expansion of the formerly known EITC would especially help single moms. Her expressed intention is to save families thousands of dollars per year by providing free Pre-K through the “Lower MI Costs” Plan.
Whitmer went on to say next that she wanted to expand voting rights, protect election workers, and continue building on federal improvements to help active duty veterans get their votes counted.
Next up, the focus topic had become creating opportunity in advanced manufacturing. Governor Whitmer had expressed interest and efforts in bringing manufacturing business to Michigan. In turn, this would attract young professionals in the advanced manufacturing industry. She had referenced the three new battery manufacturing plants in Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Van Buren Township. Seems that the governor intends to have more goods made in Michigan rather than import.
Whitmer then segways into professional development for young adults. Outlining talent development by mentioning the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and MI Reconnect. The governor wants to change the required age of the MI Reconnect program to include people 21 and older, rather than 25 and older. Thus, including more young folks allowing them to receive tuition free associate’s degrees or skills training. She wrapped this portion of her speech up by adding that if all that wasn’t enough to win over new young professionals, then she’ll win them over through other routes like ensuring they have the right to choose when it comes to their bodies, and expand the Elliot Larson Civil Rights Act.
The governor moved on from that to talk about Investing in education and public safety. She intends to better fund a program called “MI Kids Back on Track” before spring break this year. She referenced how Representative Haadsma from Battle Creek, MI, has championed this initiative. Public safety wise, Governor Whitmer took note that there is an increase of unregistered firearms in Michigan, and wants to continue to push her “Operation Safe Neighborhoods” program to remove those illegal firearms from Michigan. Last year, she made the largest contribution to Michigan policing since she took office.
Lastly, in her address, she outlines the importance of improving infrastructure. She explicitly mentioned roads, lead free water pipes, high speed internet, and clean energy. In reference to the roads, Governor Whitmer spoke on innovative transportation systems with new smart road technology. To finish off on touching all the issues she wanted to mention, Whitmer said she means to make bold investments in climate action targets. Becoming a “…hub of clean energy production.”, and that protecting land and water is high on her list.
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