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Three Rivers Today
By the People, for the People
Michigan Governor Whitmer Outlines Plans for Housing, Healthcare, and Education
Whitmer calls for affordable housing tax credits, medical debt reforms, and expanded early childhood education in State of the State address.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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In her final State of the State address, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer outlined a series of policy proposals aimed at addressing housing affordability, healthcare costs, and education outcomes across the state. Whitmer proposed establishing a new state-level affordable housing tax credit, capping interest rates on medical debt, and expanding access to free, full-day pre-K programs.
Why it matters
Whitmer's policy agenda touches on several key issues that impact the daily lives of Michigan residents, from the ability to find and afford a home to accessing quality healthcare and education. As the governor enters her final year in office, these proposals could shape the legislative priorities in Lansing and have lasting effects on the state's economy and communities.
The details
Whitmer's housing plan calls for a new state-level affordable housing tax credit to incentivize the construction of more homes for working-class families. She also proposed reforms to zoning and permitting laws to speed up home building. On healthcare, Whitmer wants to cap interest rates on medical debt, prevent it from appearing on credit reports, require hospitals to offer financial assistance programs, and ban liens or foreclosures on homes due to medical debt. In education, Whitmer called for free, full-day pre-K for all, adopting effective literacy curriculums statewide, increased funding for teacher professional development, and more tutoring and small group support in classrooms.
- Whitmer delivered her State of the State address on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
The players
Gretchen Whitmer
The current Governor of Michigan, serving her final year in office.
What they’re saying
“First, a new state-level affordable housing tax credit. There's already a federal affordable housing tax credit, which incentivizes the construction of housing for working-class families, and with a state credit, we can build thousands more.”
— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan (wsjm.com)
“Let's cap interest rates on medical debt. Let's prevent medical debt from showing up on your credit report. Let's require hospitals to set up financial assistance programs for patients. And let's ban liens or foreclosures on homes because of medical debt.”
— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan (wsjm.com)
What’s next
The Michigan state legislature will need to consider and pass legislation to enact the policy proposals outlined by Governor Whitmer in her State of the State address.
The takeaway
Governor Whitmer's final-year agenda focuses on addressing longstanding challenges in Michigan related to housing affordability, healthcare costs, and educational outcomes. If enacted, these proposals could have a significant impact on the daily lives of residents across the state.
