State Governor Seeks Unity Following Years of Partisan Fighting

Curved road with a U-turn arrow marking.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a prominent Trump critic, surprised many by calling for bipartisanship in her seventh State of the State address while pledging to work with the incoming administration, though Republicans remain skeptical of her sincerity.

Quick Takes

Whitmer addressed a divided Michigan Legislature, advocating for bipartisanship across three main goals: lowering costs, creating jobs, and delivering results.
Key proposals included increased education funding, limiting cell phone use in schools, addressing housing shortages, and securing $3 billion for road repairs.
Republicans expressed skepticism about Whitmer’s bipartisan intentions based on past actions and proposed their own $3.1 billion road funding plan without tax increases.
Michigan ranks 44th nationally in fourth-grade reading scores, highlighting urgent educational concerns.
Business leaders cautioned against potential Corporate Income Tax increases that could harm economic growth.

A Call for Unity Amid Partisan Tensions

In her seventh State of the State address, Governor Gretchen Whitmer faced a divided Michigan Legislature with Republicans holding a slim majority in the House and Democrats controlling the Senate. Despite her reputation as a frequent critic of President Trump during the election cycle, Whitmer struck a notably conciliatory tone, emphasizing common ground between political parties and pledging to work with the incoming Trump administration. The governor focused on shared priorities rather than partisan differences, marking a potential shift in her political approach ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

“My fellow Michiganders, the state of our state is strong, but it’s on all of us to make it stronger and kinder too.” – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Her speech outlined a comprehensive agenda organized around three core goals: lowering costs for Michigan families, creating jobs, and delivering measurable results. Whitmer highlighted recent bipartisan achievements, including newly passed sick time and minimum wage laws, as evidence that collaboration across party lines is both possible and productive when lawmakers prioritize citizens over politics. However, her call for unity comes after years of often contentious relationships with Republican lawmakers, leading some to question the governor’s motivations.

Policy Priorities and Funding Disputes

Whitmer’s policy agenda addressed several pressing concerns for Michigan residents. She announced plans to build, buy, or fix nearly 11,000 homes to address housing shortages, expand affordable childcare options, and create tuition-free pathways to higher education. The governor also emphasized improving educational outcomes, with particular attention to Michigan’s troubling 44th-place ranking in national fourth-grade reading scores. Additional priorities included limiting cell phone use in schools and reducing nicotine use among children.

Perhaps most contentiously, Whitmer called for action on road funding, acknowledging multiple competing plans while insisting that “what’s not OK is no plan.” Her proposal seeks approximately $3 billion for infrastructure improvements, potentially including tax and fee increases. Republican lawmakers quickly countered with their own $3.1 billion road funding plan that avoids tax increases by reallocating existing resources. Republican State Rep. Bryan Posthumus argued that Michigan already has sufficient funds for road repairs without additional taxation, while House Speaker Matt Hall proposed using increased state revenue and cuts to health department programs.

“When you show up and listen, it’s clear that most of us want the same things and we’re all frustrated by the same things too.” – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Republican Skepticism and Business Community Concerns

While Democratic lawmakers largely embraced Whitmer’s bipartisan rhetoric, Republicans remained skeptical. State Rep. Bill G. Schuette questioned the governor’s sincerity, suggesting her past actions contradicted her calls for cooperation. The business community also expressed concerns, particularly regarding rumors of a potential 2.5% Corporate Income Tax increase to fund road improvements. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued a statement emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility and sustainable budgeting practices, warning that tax increases could undermine the state’s economic competitiveness.

“Now, I know there are a couple different plans out there, including mine, and I know none of them are perfect. But what’s not OK is no plan. Michiganders won’t accept inaction.” – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Whitmer acknowledged issues with Michigan’s permitting system and called for bipartisan reform to streamline processes that currently hinder business development. She also addressed potential economic damage from tariffs while expressing support for greater transparency in legislative processes. As the governor enters the penultimate year of her second term, her ability to translate bipartisan rhetoric into meaningful cooperation remains uncertain. Both sides agree on many of Michigan’s challenges, but significant differences remain on how to address them.