In a sometimes emotional and self-congratulatory address to the Legislature, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer offered a nostalgic but conciliatory final State of the State in which she frequently touted bipartisanship and even threw in an unexpected line of praise for President Donald Trump.
“A new fighter mission is coming to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County,” said Whitmer. “… You probably didn’t have this one on your bingo card, but I want to thank President Trump for helping us get this done.”
Her eighth annual speech, which in about 50 minutes gave no hint of her post-gubernatorial plans once she is term-limited out at the end of 2026, seemed nonetheless designed to preserve her options and not do any damage to her prospects as a 2028 presidential or vice presidential contender.
That was evident in what she did not do – she didn’t bash Trump by name, although she attacked his tariff policies as harming Michigan’s economy and insisted the Gordie Howe Bridge will open despite Trump’s recent threats to thwart it.
Instead, the one-hour speech highlighted education, health care, and housing issues, but Whitmer left untouched any conversation about the immigration crackdowns or the fast-growing interest in Michigan farmland for data centers. There was also only one passing reference to the biggest crisis of her tenure, the COVID-19 pandemic.
The whole address, as prepared for delivery, is here, but here are a few key takeaways:
“We’re fixing the damn roads everywhere.”
Whitmer, who won the governorship in 2018 on that folksy, vaguely profane promise, says she succeeded “thanks to the biggest bipartisan roads deal in state history. … I’m really proud of this one. Since I took office through the end of this construction season, we’ll have fixed 26,500 lane miles of road and almost 2,000 bridges, supporting over 200,000 jobs. We’ve had some of the busiest construction seasons in Michigan history and more are coming. There’s still a lot of work to do. When you see those orange barrels just know… I’m sorry and you’re welcome! “
Literacy proves tough to crack
The state ranks 44th in the nation in fourth-grade reading scores, she said while hastening to insist it’s “not the fault of any one person, party, or event. It’s not concentrated in any one state or any one kind of school district. Literacy is a national challenge. No matter who becomes governor after me, they’ll have to continue this work.” She pivoted from that grim realities to tout seven years of “record investments in education.”
“I got your back.”
If there was a key moment of wading into a national controversy that could become a 2028 campaign issue, it was a direct promise to LGBTQ+ people at a moment of great challenge to transgender people that they are “welcome in Michigan. You belong, you matter, and no matter who comes after you, I’ll stand in the way. In Michigan, we look out for each other. That’s why I’ll always fight for your freedom and safety. And I’ll veto any legislation that diminishes your humanity.”
An Olympic victory lap.
“Fifteen extraordinary Michiganders represented the U.S. on the world stage. They came home with 13 medals – and a few less teeth. … Let’s give it up for all the Michiganders who represented the United States in Milan.” Whitmer, who “interviewed” homegrown Olympians at the Games in a schticky video, went off-script with an only-in-MIchigan quip: “I didn’t have the heart to tell the Italians it’s pronounced My-lan, but OK.”
Seeking “a more strategic trade policy.”
Whitmer tied housing affordability in particular to Trump’s trade wars, claiming they have increased the cost of building a home by $17,000 because “we rely on Canadian lumber and Mexican drywall.” Then, with a reference to some high-profile and occasionally embarrassing meetings with Trump, she conceded, “We can’t change national tariffs – believe me, I’ve tried – but we can build more quality, affordable housing in Michigan” through a variety of tax reforms, loan programs and reductions in red tape. “It shouldn’t be so hard to build the homes people need in the places where they want to live,” she pleaded.
Legacy aspirations
Among proud achievements she fears could be undone by future Legislatures and administrations are programs to provide free pre-K and universal free school breakfast and lunch. “And you know what? This year, let’s make that permanent! Years from now, when people write about this session, they’ll remember that we were the ones who finally fixed our roads and fed our kids.”
Big Gretch’s magical mystery tour coming soon
After rattling off a list of “firsts” – first state to restart a nuclear power plant, first to “restore workers’ right to organize,” first new veterans home in 40 years, first years of population growth for Detroit since the 1950s – she promised, with a mischievous twinkle, to “lift up these wins and listen to you during what we’re calling the G-S-D Tour.” She didn’t say what that stood for. God Save Detroit? Gretchen Saves the Day? “I’ll explain it when I see you,” she coyly promised.
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