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Gretchen Whitmer: “Michigan is 44th in fourth grade reading.”

Featuring: Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic | Governor of Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address

Published February 25, 2026 | Video Starts at 20:42

These so called miracles have been taking place in red, blue and purple states who are climbing the ranks or maintaining their already strong positions. But these weren't miracles. They were marathons, the result of hard work … Michigan is 44th in fourth grade reading. … commit to and work together to make sure every child reads. Let's get it done. Next, let's talk about another national issue we must tackle together. Housing in the 90s. (20:42–20:43)

CLAIM

Asserts that Michigan ranks 44th in fourth-grade reading proficiency.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Gretchen Whitmer

“Just one in five homes today are sold to first time home buyers. That is an all time low.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 21:34-21:42
“The median age of a first time home buyer is 40. That's a record high.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 21:42-21:49
“The average income of first time home buyers is $97,000, also an all time high.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 21:49-21:58
“Last year, America had its worst manufacturing trade deficit ever, while China clocked their highest trade surplus ever, $1.2 trillion.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 22:58-23:00
“Tariffs have jacked up prices, costing families an average of 1000 bucks a year.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 23:05-23:13
“Tariffs have raised the cost of a house by upwards of 17 grand.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 23:05-23:10
“Mental health finally covered equally to physical health by law, making Michigan the first state to get that done.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 30:01-30:11
“Last year we wiped out medical debt for 210,000 people.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 30:41-30:47
“More people moved into Michigan from other states than out for the first time since the early 90s.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 34:10-34:14
“The day I took office, 1.5 million Michiganders made under $15 an hour. The day I leave, it will be almost zero.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 35:27-35:40
“I am eager to work with you all again on our last balanced, bipartisan budget. And let's get it done on time. June 30th.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 03:50-04:00
“I just released my final executive budget recommendation, which included the largest targeted literacy investment in Michigan history.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 16:57-17:06
“Soon, we'll also screen every student for dyslexia.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 17:17-17:20
“The data tells us that students who attend pre K are far more likely to read and do math at or above grade level.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 17:46-17:56
“Michigan families have repeatedly broken records for pre K enrollment.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 17:56-18:02
“Let's fund free full day pre K for all and set every child up for success.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 18:15-18:22
“Previously, our schools used over 400 different literacy teaching methods.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 18:49-19:08
“Our new science of reading law identifies students who need more support.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 19:13-19:18
“In late 2024, I signed science of Reading legislation, a statewide strategy that uses proven methods to teach reading.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 20:09-20:21
“We're already seeing remarkable progress in states that are doing the same things I've covered tonight.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 20:15-20:21
“There's a multi million home shortage nationwide.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 22:00-22:04
“We've invested more to build housing than any administration in state history.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 23:32-23:38
“We set and smashed our goal of adding 75,000 homes a year ahead of schedule. We're at 86,000 now.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 23:37-23:45
“We closed our housing gap by 44%.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 23:48-23:51
“Our home ownership rate remains higher than the national average at almost 75%.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 23:51-23:58
“We helped more than 6,000 Michiganders buy their first homes last year with record setting mortgage and down payment assistance loans.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 24:05-24:14
“Michigan is the only state in our region without [a state level affordable housing tax credit].”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 24:57-25:01
“voted to slash Medicaid and SNAP by a trillion dollars, ripping health care and food away from millions of our neighbors, family and…”
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“Renew the ACA subsidies provide real relief to Michiganers.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 28:22-28:29
“Insurers can't charge more for pre existing conditions.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 29:43-29:47
“Young people can stay on their parents plans until they turn 26.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 29:46-29:51
“There are no more surprise medical bills and no caps on annual or lifetime care.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 29:56-30:02
“Federal cuts would put two and a half million Michiganders, a quarter of our population, at risk of losing their coverage.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 32:07-32:16
“Our budget protected billions in funding for core Medicaid services.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 32:26-32:31
“In 2014, as the minority Leader in the Michigan Senate, I worked with Governor Snyder to expand Medicaid under the aca.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 33:15-33:23
“On tax day this year, 1 million Michigan seniors will no longer pay the retirement tax because we repealed it.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 34:14-34:22
“665,000 working families get refunds averaging 3,900 bucks. Because we increase the working families tax credit by 500%.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 34:34-34:44
“800,000 workers will keep more of their hard earned paychecks because we ended state taxes on tips and and overtime.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 34:53-35:01
“Wages and GDP are up. Crime and overdose deaths are down.”
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“Every budget I've introduced negotiated and signed these last seven years, made record investments in education.”
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“We raised the rainy day fund to record highs and enacted seven balanced budgets.”
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“We're a top 10 state for doing business.”
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“For the third year in a row, we improved our credit rating and will pay off $28 billion in debt.”
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“We fixed more roads, built more homes and replaced more lead pipes than ever.”
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“We've replaced 70,000 lead pipes and upgraded water infrastructure statewide.”
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“Since I took office, through the end of this construction season we will have fixed 26,500 lane miles of road and almost 2,000 bridges.”
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“Every student in every school gets the same resources because we finally closed the funding gap.”
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“Every 4 year old can go to pre K for free, saving their parents 14 grand a year.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 38:33-38:39
“Every graduate can go to their community college tuition free.”
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“All 1.4 million public schools students get free breakfast and lunch.”
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“Abortion is a constitutional right. Women control their own bodies, lives and future in the state of Michigan.”
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“Black Michiganers can wear their hair natural without discrimination.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 41:04-41:09
“We finally have common sense Gun violence prevention laws, background checks, safe storage, extreme risk protection order.”
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“LGBTQ Michiganders are protected against discrimination in their homes and at work. By law.”
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“Through a destructive pandemic, devastating floods, deep freezes, and deadly shootings, I've seen that tough times don't last, but tough…”
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“We've all been tested over the past seven years, but we've always come out stronger and we always will.”
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“There's no problem we faced that we cannot fix.”
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“Because of you, the state of our state is strong.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 25, 2026 | 51:39-51:43