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Gretchen Whitmer: “The day I took office, 1.5 million Michiganders made under…”

Featuring: Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic | Governor of Michigan

LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address

Published February 26, 2026 | Video Starts at 36:41

Michigan workers benefit from the best earned sick time policy in the country. You were a part of that. Good Job. Matt. Not going to leave my girl hang. And The day I took office, 1.5 million Michiganders made under $15 an hour. The day I leave, it will be almost zero. Businesses have more opportunities too. Our fiscal house is also in order. We raised the rainy day fund to record highs and enacted seven balanced budgets. (36:41–36:54)

CLAIM

Asserts that the number of Michiganders making under $15 an hour will be reduced to almost zero.

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

“More people moved into Michigan from other states than out for the first time since the early 90s.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 10:30-10:37
“Tariffs have jacked up prices, costing families an average of 1000 bucks a year.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 11:16-11:22
“Last year America had its worst manufacturing trade deficit ever, while China clocked their highest trade surplus ever, $1.2 trillion.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 11:28-11:41
“Just one in five homes today are sold to first time home buyers. That is an all time low.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 22:48-22:56
“The median age of a first time home buyer is 40. That's a record high.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 22:56-23:03
“The average income of first time homebuyers is $97,000, also an all time high.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 23:03-23:12
“Tariffs have raised the cost of a house by upwards of 17 grand.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 24:19-24:24
“Mental health finally covered equally to physical health by law, making Michigan the first state to get that done.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 31:15-31:25
“We're the first state to ever restart a nuclear power plant. And we're going to do it at Palisades.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 45:38-45:45
“For the first time in nearly 70 years, Detroit's population grew.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 45:57-46:01
“I am eager to work with you all again on our last balanced bipartisan budget.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 05:04-05:10
“Let's get it done on time. June 30th.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 05:10-05:14
“Wages and GDP are up. Crime and overdose deaths are down.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 10:12-10:17
“Pre K school meals and community colleges are all free.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 10:17-10:21
“Taxes on retirement tips, overtime and Social Security gone.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 10:21-10:26
“We fixed more roads, built more homes and replaced more lead pipes than ever.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 10:25-10:30
“I'm hopeful that last week's Supreme Court decision will force Congress and the President to work out a more strategic trade policy.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 11:41-11:50
“Michigan is 44th in fourth grade reading.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 14:46-14:50
“Every budget I've introduced, negotiated and signed these last seven years made record investments in education.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 15:54-16:02
“In late 2024, I signed science of Reading legislation, a statewide strategy that uses proven methods to teach reading that includes phonics.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 16:13-16:25
“Previously, our schools used over 400 different literacy teaching methods.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 16:27-16:33
“Soon we'll also screen every student for dyslexia, identifying kids who need extra help and ensuring that they get it.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 16:38-16:47
“I just released my final executive budget recommendation, which included the largest targeted literacy investment in Michigan history.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 18:11-18:20
“The data tells us that students who attend Pre K are far more likely to read and do math at or above grade level.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:00-19:09
“So this year, let's fund free full day pre K for all and set every child up for success.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:28-19:36
“We've invested more to build housing than any administration in state history.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 24:46-24:51
“We set and smashed our goal of adding 75,000 homes a year ahead of schedule. We're at 86,000 now.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 24:51-24:59
“We closed our housing gap by 44%.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 25:02-25:05
“Our home ownership rate remains higher than the national average at almost 75%.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 25:05-25:12
“We helped more than 6,000 Michiganders buy their first homes last year with record setting mortgage and down payment assistance loans.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 25:19-25:28
“Michigan's the only state in our region without [a state level affordable housing tax credit].”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 26:11-26:15
“Last year, the majority in Washington D.C. voted to slash Medicaid and SNAP by a trillion dollars, ripping health care and food away from…”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 29:15-29:27
“They went home and did nothing and let premiums on the Affordable Care act skyrocket.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 29:26-29:33
“Renew the ACA subsidies. Provide real relief to Michiganders.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 29:36-29:42
“Insurers can't charge more for pre-existing conditions.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 30:55-31:01
“Young people can stay on their parents plans until they turn 26.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 31:00-31:05
“There are no more surprise medical bills and no caps on annual or lifetime care.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 31:10-31:16
“Last year we wiped out medical debt for 210,000 people.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 31:55-32:01
“Federal cuts would put two and a half million Michiganders, a quarter of our population, at risk of losing their coverage.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 33:21-33:30
“Our budget protected billions in funding for core Medicaid services.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 33:40-33:45
“I propose a significant investment to stabilize Medicaid funding.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 34:04-34:09
“In 2014, as the minority Leader in the Michigan Senate, I worked with Governor Snyder to expand Medicaid under the aca.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 34:29-34:37
“1 million Michigan seniors will no longer pay the retirement tax because we repealed it.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 35:31-35:36
“665,000 working families get refunds averaging 3,900 bucks because we increase the working families tax credit by 500%.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 35:49-35:54
“800,000 workers will keep more of their hard earned paychecks because we ended state taxes on tiffs and overtime.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 36:07-36:15
“We raised the rainy day fund to record highs and enacted seven balanced budgets.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 37:10-37:16
“We're a top 10 state for doing business for the third year in a row.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 37:15-37:19
“We improved our credit rating and will pay off $28 billion in debt.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 37:19-37:25
“We've replaced 70,000 lead pipes and upgraded water infrastructure statewide.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 37:54-38:01
“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.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 38:46-38:55
“Every student in every school gets the same resources because we finally closed the funding gap.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 39:26-39:33
“Every 4 year old can go to pre K for free, saving their parents 14 grand a year.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 39:46-39:53
“Every Michigander 25 and older can earn an associate's degree or certificate tuition free too.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 40:06-40:14
“All 1.4 million public school students get free breakfast and lunch.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 40:33-40:40
“Abortion is a constitutional right.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 41:58-42:01
“Women control their own bodies, lives and future in the state of Michigan.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 42:00-42:05
“Black Michiganders can wear their hair natural without discrimination.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 42:18-42:23
“We finally have common sense gun violence prevention laws, background checks, safe storage, extreme risk protection order.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 42:34-42:40
“LGBTQ Michiganders are protected against discrimination in their homes and at work. By law.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 42:48-42:48
“Michigan is open for business. New factories making batteries, cars, ships are opening in Marshall, Lake Orion, Holland Bay City, Calumet…”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 44:07-44:19
“A new fighter mission is coming to Selfridge Air National Guard base in Macomb County.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 44:19-44:24
“We're the first state to restore workers' right to organize for better pay and benefits in 70 years.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 45:24-45:30
“For the first time in 40 years, we opened a new veterans home.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 45:54-45:58
“For the first time in over a century, a new bridge connecting Michigan to Canada, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, will open.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 46:00-46:09
“Our state is full of good, honest, hard working people who care deeply about their families and want to make their communities better.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:08-49:18
“It's Republicans, Democrats and independents who put politics aside to solve problems.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:30-49:37
“Social media platforms that were supposed to bring us together have made us distrust and in some cases despise our fellow Americans.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 50:03-50:12
“Through a destructive pandemic, devastating floods, deep freezes, and deadly shootings, I've seen that tough times don't last, but tough…”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 50:44-50:57
“Because of you, the state of our state is strong.”
LIVE | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 52:53-52:57