Michigan Dem Governor Stunned Room by Giving Trump Credit for Historic Job Boom [WATCH]

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address Wednesday night, highlighting what she described as bipartisan achievements in education, housing, and healthcare while drawing measured contrasts with President Donald Trump’s administration.

The two-term Democratic governor, who is term-limited, focused heavily on affordability issues, aligning her remarks with themes expected to dominate the 2026 election cycle.

While she criticized President Trump’s tariff policies, she also thanked him for supporting a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in her only direct reference to the president.

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Whitmer centered her address on unity and cooperation, drawing bipartisan applause from members of the Michigan House and Senate.

“No matter what comes our way, we will always have a way through because we will always have each other,” Whitmer said.

She acknowledged economic frustrations facing residents across the state.

“Right now, it can be hard to stay positive. It’s frustrating to just stay afloat financially, much less get ahead. Ugly rhetoric and rising partisanship, especially at the national level, has made it tempting to tune out and turn away. We’re all searching for a way forward, and the answer has been in front of us the whole time. It is us,” Whitmer said.

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On education, Whitmer highlighted efforts to address Michigan’s literacy crisis.

The state currently ranks 44th in fourth-grade reading skills. She pointed to initiatives mandating dyslexia testing and investments in teacher training, tutoring, mental health programs, and classroom upgrades. Whitmer urged lawmakers to fund “free, full-day Pre-K for all,” support “proven” literacy instruction, and asked the next governor to “continue this work.”

Housing affordability was another major theme.

Whitmer entered the broader national debate over tariffs, arguing that trade policies were affecting construction costs.

“We rely on Canadian lumber and Mexican drywall to build homes,” Whitmer said, adding that tariffs were “further exacerbating our housing shortage.”

She encouraged increased housing construction and backed a state-level affordable housing tax credit.

“There are two more things we should do to build housing: One, demolish nonsensical construction requirements, and two, streamline zoning,” Whitmer said, drawing bipartisan applause.

Whitmer’s final major policy focus was healthcare affordability.

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