WATCH: Whitmer touts progress, urges unity in last State of the State

By Elyse Apel
The Center Square

In Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s final State of the State address, she touted increased wages, crime reduction and “fixing the roads” over the past seven years.

In the final year of her term, Whitmer promised to focus on improving literacy, closing the housing gap and passing the state budget on time.

Whitmer, a Democrat, said there is a lot she’s proud of from her time as governor.

“Over the last seven years, we’ve delivered on the kitchen table issues together. We’re building a Michigan for all,” Whitmer said. “Wages and GDP are up, crime and overdose deaths are down. Pre K, school meals and community colleges are all free. Taxes on retirement, tips, overtime and Social Security gone. We fixed more roads, built more homes and replaced more lead pipes than ever.”

While Whitmer called out President Donald Trump for tariffs, the speech remained largely conciliatory to the Republicans across the aisle.

“We’re all exhausted by the endless division. Too many people are quick to judge and eager to spin everything they read, watch or hear. It’s stoked by irresponsible leaders and organizations who get more power or make more money when we’re all angry at each other or sad about ourselves,” she said. “Despite these national challenges, Michiganders can show the way forward. We can show the rest of the country how we work together to get things done.”

That will include on the coming fiscal year’s budget, as state Republicans and Democrats joined on Wednesday night to cheer for passing it by July 1. This comes after the budget fiasco of this past year, when the state budget wasn’t finalized until mid-October.

In a surprising olive branch, Whitmer even thanked Trump for his role in Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County receiving millions in infrastructure upgrades.

Whitmer also laid out her priorities for the coming year.

“In 2026, I’m focused on issues that will help us build a Michigan for all,” she said. “First, our kids’ education, and second, more money in your pocket for housing and healthcare.”

Whitmer added that mitigating the effects of medical debt, protecting Medicaid funding, and ensuring record investments in education will be the focus of her recommendations for the upcoming budget negotiations.

State Republicans put out a number of responses to the speech, but Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, gave the official response.

In a video filmed on his six-generation dairy and grape farm, Nesbitt called out Whitmer and her time as governor.

“For eight years, Gov. Whitmer has had a bad habit of saying all of the right things, and then doing all of the wrong things, and she’s hoping you’ll forget,” Nesbitt said. “But we haven’t forgotten because we’re living with the consequences. It’s harder and harder than ever to make it in Michigan.”

Nesbitt said Republicans, who control the state House, are focused on cleaning up Whitmer’s “mess.”

“By nearly every metric, Michigan is worse off today than when Gov. Whitmer first took office,” Nesbitt said. “You deserve leaders who share your values and understand your struggles. That’s why Republicans in the House and Senate are fighting every day so you and your family can make it in Michigan once again.”