Whitmer Delivers Final State of the State Address

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address on February 25, 2026, in the House chamber in Lansing. During the speech, Whitmer proposed several new policy initiatives to address issues such as falling literacy rates, childcare access, and infrastructure improvements across the state.

Why it matters

As Whitmer's second and final term as governor comes to an end, her farewell State of the State address provides insight into her administration's priorities and the key challenges facing Michigan that she hopes to address before leaving office.

The details

In her speech, Whitmer outlined plans to increase funding for early childhood literacy programs, expand access to affordable childcare, and invest in repairing the state's roads, bridges, and water systems. She also called for bipartisan cooperation to tackle these issues, emphasizing that they require collaborative solutions.

• Whitmer delivered the State of the State address on February 25, 2026.
• This was Whitmer's final State of the State speech as she is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Whitmer's policy proposals will now be considered by the state legislature, where lawmakers will debate and potentially pass legislation to implement her agenda before the end of her term.