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Gretchen Whitmer: “We raised the rainy day fund to record highs and enacted…”

Featuring: Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic | Governor of Michigan

2026 Michigan State of the State

Published February 26, 2026 | Video Starts at 40:37

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 than too. Our fiscal house is also in order. We raised the rainy day fund to record highs and enacted seven balanced budgets. We're a top 10 state for doing business. For the third year in a row, we improved our credit rating and will pay off $28 billion in debt. (40:37–40:43)

CLAIM

Asserts that Michigan increased its rainy day fund to record levels and enacted seven balanced budgets.

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.”
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“Tariffs have jacked up prices, costing families an average of 1000 bucks a year.”
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“Last year America had its worst manufacturing trade deficit ever, while China clocked their highest trade surplus ever, $1.2 trillion.”
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“Just one in five homes today are sold to first time home buyers. That is an all time low.”
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“The median age of a first time homebuyer is 40. That's a record high.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 26:23-26:30
“The average income of first time home buyers is $97,000, also an all time high.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 26:30-26:39
“Tariffs have raised the cost of a house by upwards of 17 grand, further exacerbating our housing shortage.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 27:47-27:54
“Mental health finally covered equally to physical health by law, making Michigan the first state to get that done.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 34:43-34:52
“No child goes hungry in Michigan schools because all 1.4 million public school students get free breakfast and lunch.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 43:56-44:08
“We're the first state to ever restart a nuclear power plant.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:05-49:10
“For the first time in nearly 70 years, Detroit's population grew.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:25-49:29
“Wages and GDP are up.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:39-13:42
“Crime and overdose deaths are down.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:41-13:45
“Pre K school meals and community colleges are all free.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:44-13:48
“Taxes on retirement tips, overtime and Social Security gone.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:48-13:53
“We fixed more roads, built more homes and replaced more lead pipes than ever.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:52-13:58
“Michigan is 44th in fourth grade reading 44th.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 18:13-18:20
“Every budget I've introduced, negotiated and signed these last seven years made record investments in education.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:21-19:30
“In late 2024, I signed science of Reading legislation, a statewide strategy that uses proven methods to teach reading.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:40-19:50
“Previously, our schools used over 400 different literacy teaching methods. Now we're simplifying that to what we know is most effective.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:54-20:05
“Soon we'll also screen every student for dyslexia, identifying kids who need extra help and ensuring that they get it.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 20:05-20:14
“Earlier this month, I signed the bills to limit phones during class time.”
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“I just released my final executive budget recommendation, which included the largest targeted literacy investment in Michigan history.”
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“The data tells us that students who attend pre K are far more likely to read and do math at or above grade level.”
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“Michigan families have repeatedly broken records for pre K enrollment.”
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“Let's fund free full day pre K for all and set every child up for success.”
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“Our new science of reading law identifies students who need more support.”
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“We've invested more to build housing than any administration in state history.”
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“We set and smashed our goal of adding 75,000 homes a year ahead of schedule. We're at 86,000 now, on track to hit our new target of 115,000.”
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“We closed our housing gap by 44% and our home ownership rate remains higher than the national average at almost 75%.”
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“We helped more than 6,000 Michiganders buy their first homes last year with record setting mortgage and down payment assistance loans.”
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“Michigan is the only state in our region without [a state level affordable housing tax credit].”
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“Last year the majority in Washington D.C. voted to send slash Medicaid and SNAP by a trillion dollars, ripping health care and food away…”
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“Insurers can't charge more for pre existing conditions. Young people can stay on their parents plans until they turn 26.”
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“There are no more surprise medical bills and no caps on annual or lifetime care.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 34:37-34:43
“Last year, we wiped out medical debt for 210,000 people.”
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“Federal cuts would put two and a half million Michiganders, a quarter of our population, at risk of losing their coverage.”
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“Our budget protected billions in funding for core Medicaid services.”
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“In 2014, as the minority leader in the Michigan Senate, I worked with Governor Snyder to expand Medicaid under the ACA.”
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“This year 1 million Michigan seniors will no longer pay the retirement tax because we repealed it.”
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“665,000 working families get refunds averaging 3,900 bucks because we increase the working families tax credit by 500%.”
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“800,000 workers will keep more of their hard-earned paychecks because we ended state taxes on tips and overtime.”
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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'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 and…”
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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 for 14 grand a year.”
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“Every graduate can go to their community college tuition free.”
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“Every Michigander 25 and older can earn an associate's degree or certificate tuition free too.”
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“Abortion is a constitutional right [in Michigan].”
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“Black Michiganders can wear their hair natural without discrimination.”
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“LGBTQ Michiganders are protected against discrimination in their homes and at work. By law.”
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“We're the first state to restore workers right to organize for better pay and benefits. In 70 years.”
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“For the first time in over a century, a new bridge connecting Michigan to Canada, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, will open.”
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“After a stint as a county prosecutor, I ran for governor in 2018 to fix the damn roads.”
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“I've been to all 83 counties many times.”
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