Gretchen Whitmer

The Michigan House approved Senate Bill 304 on May 21, 2026, by a vote of 91-16, which would grant the Mackinac Island City Council regulatory authority over all aspects of ferry operations to and from the island, including parking rates on the mainland and baggage handling fees. The legislation, which previously passed the state Senate, now requires approval from Governor Whitmer before proceeding to a referendum requiring majority support from island residents. The bill emerges from an ongoing federal court dispute between Mackinac Island and Hoffman Marine, which operates the two ferry services and has raised fares from $36 to $39 since acquiring both companies in 2004.

Whitmer and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition lawsuit in May 2026 alongside 24 states and the District of Columbia challenging a U.S. Department of Education rule that narrowed the federal definition of a "professional degree" and limited access to federal student loans for certain graduate and professional degree programs implemented in July 2025. The lawsuit alleged the Department of Education acted unlawfully in imposing restrictions that were not authorized by Congress. Michigan cited particular concern regarding nursing programs, which were removed from eligibility under the new rule, given the state's projected nursing shortage through 2036.

Whitmer praised the approval of a $152 million state funding package to upgrade Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, describing the funding as critical to preparing the installation for incoming F-15EX fighter jets and KC-46A tanker aircraft. The state investment, combined with approximately $1 billion in federal funding, supports modernization projects including runway and infrastructure improvements, with new aircraft expected to arrive in 2028. Whitmer stated that delivering the funding by June 1 was necessary to secure the fighter mission and protect the base's long-term future.

Michigan's Democratic-led Senate unanimously approved $152 million in funding for capital improvements at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on Wednesday, resolving a weeks-long stalemate between the chambers. The funding, which both chambers had separately approved in March and April before becoming entangled in partisan disagreements, will support runway modifications and infrastructure repairs necessary to accommodate new fighter jets and refueling tankers. Governor Whitmer indicated she would sign the legislation, stating the funding needed to be delivered by June 1 to secure a new fighter mission backed by President Donald Trump.

Governor Whitmer expressed general support for a bipartisan legislative package that would reform Michigan zoning laws to allow more residential units on the same parcel of land, aimed at addressing the state's estimated shortage of 119,000 homes. The zoning reform bills began consideration in a House committee as lawmakers debated various approaches to increase housing affordability and construction. Local government groups and some lawmakers opposed the legislation, arguing that the state should not override local zoning authority and that communities were not meaningfully consulted during the bills' development.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation's executive committee, composed largely of appointees selected by Governor Whitmer since 2019, held a meeting in Lansing without publicly addressing criminal charges filed against former board member Fay Beydoun, who had obtained a $20 million state grant administered by the agency. CEO Quentin Messer Jr. and Committee Chair Christina Grossi declined to comment on the charges or the investigation, with the board subsequently entering a closed session to discuss privileged information. The charges against Beydoun include allegations that she misused the state funding for personal expenses after leveraging political connections to secure the earmark in 2022.

Whitmer declared a state of emergency following a major water main break in northern Oakland County on May 10, 2026. The declaration activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the infrastructure failure that affected a large portion of the county. The emergency declaration enabled coordination of state resources to address the water main rupture and its impacts on the affected region.

Whitmer proposed a budget that would increase tobacco prevention spending by $8.9 million to a total of $16 million through the creation of a new tax on e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products such as Zyn pouches. This increase would address rising teen tobacco use in Michigan, which increased to 16.5% among high school students in 2023 from 14% in 2021, with e-cigarettes being the most common form used. However, neither House nor Senate lawmakers included the proposed new taxes in their separately approved state budget bills, leaving the funding increase unimplemented.

Michigan's Department of Transportation announced plans to install 60 new electric vehicle charging stations along the state's major travel routes after the federal government released $51 million in previously frozen funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The funding release followed a federal court ruling that forced the Trump administration to disburse money it had withheld for more than a year. The expansion brings Michigan's public charging network closer to its stated goal of 100,000 chargers by 2030, though the state remains significantly behind that target.

Whitmer stated support for suspending the federal 18.4-cent gasoline tax through a bill introduced by U.S. Senate Democrats in March, citing relief for Michigan motorists facing fuel prices significantly above the national average. Whitmer did not commit to suspending Michigan's state gas tax of 52.4 cents per gallon, which was restructured in the previous year to direct 98 percent of revenue to state and local road agencies. In April, Whitmer issued an executive order permitting several counties to sell higher vapor pressure gasoline in summer months at lower cost.

Whitmer requested approximately $800 million in new tax revenue from tobacco, vapes, and digital advertising to address anticipated Medicaid funding shortfalls resulting from federal policy changes. The Michigan Senate approved an $88.1 billion budget on April 30, 2026, that did not include the proposed sin taxes, instead reallocating existing revenue to address Medicaid costs. The Senate action set the stage for formal budget negotiations with the Republican-led House ahead of the July 1 constitutional deadline.

Whitmer campaigned for Democrat Chedrick Greene in a special election for Michigan's 35th Senate District on Tuesday, describing the election as significant for the state's legislative agenda. A Republican victory by Jason Tunney would result in a 19-19 tie in the state Senate, potentially limiting legislative progress for the remainder of the year. The seat had remained vacant for more than a year following the resignation of Democrat Kristin McDonald Rivet, who was elected to the U.S. House in early 2025.

Whitmer announced that the Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved an expansion project for Adrian Steel Company in Adrian, Michigan, expected to create 40 new jobs over five years. The MSF Board approved a $320,000 performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program along with a five-year State Essential Services Assessment valued at up to $228,751 to support the company's total investment of $43,453,278. The expansion includes a 112,000-square-foot addition to the facility and represents the company's largest investment since 1953.

In 2023, Whitmer signed legislation that prohibits drivers from holding or manually using a cell phone or other mobile device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads, with the exception of vehicles that are legally parked. The law applies even when a vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or in congested traffic. Law enforcement agencies across metro Detroit subsequently began implementing Operation Ghost Rider, an enforcement initiative using unmarked vehicles to identify distracted drivers and alert marked units to conduct traffic stops.

Michigan launched a pilot program to test the expansion of its "Pre-K for all" initiative to home-based child care providers, an eligibility category previously excluded from the no-cost preschool program. The $1.5 million program, funded through a federal grant, supports up to 75 to 80 children aged 3 or 4 attending preschool in home settings during spring and summer with potential continuation into the school year. Participants receive funding for coaching, curriculum, materials, and assessments, with the goal of evaluating whether home-based providers can effectively deliver pre-K services comparable to traditional child care centers and schools.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered immediate inspections of the Cheboygan Dam powerhouse and other Michigan dams following historic flooding in April 2026 that threatened multiple impoundments across the state. The commission directed Hom Paper XI LLC, owner of the Cheboygan Dam powerhouse, to file a report by May 15 detailing plans to maintain permanent operation of the facility, which had been offline since a 2023 fire. Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for 40 of Michigan's 83 counties as spring snowmelt and heavy rains caused widespread flooding, while state officials separately announced plans to inspect dams under their oversight for damage.

Michigan lawmakers introduced legislation to strengthen dam safety standards following flooding emergencies in the state, with a House committee expected to consider a bill that would increase inspection frequency, require owners to demonstrate maintenance affordability, establish stricter flood control standards, and mandate closer coordination between federal and state regulators. The proposal represents a second attempt at reforms originally recommended by the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force following the 2020 Edenville dam failure, after similar reform efforts failed to advance in the preceding six years. The legislation comes as state budget discussions also include potential cuts to the agency responsible for dam regulation and oversight.

The Michigan House approved a $76 billion budget proposal that reduces funding for the University of Michigan and Michigan State University by a combined 62 percent, totaling approximately $222 million in cuts to the two institutions. The Republican-led spending plan passed without Democratic support and represents the opening proposal in negotiations with the Democrat-led state Senate and Governor Whitmer. The final budget will require reconciliation between the House proposal, the Senate's spending plan, and Whitmer's $88 billion proposal before it can become law.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April 2026 that Michigan's lawsuit seeking to shut down a section of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac would remain in state court, finding that the energy company waited too long to request removal to federal court. Whitmer's administration had revoked the pipeline easement in 2020 through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, citing concerns about potential ruptures and catastrophic spills in the Great Lakes. The case continued through state court proceedings while a separate federal lawsuit challenged the easement revocation in a parallel dispute over the 4.5-mile section of pipeline operating beneath the straits since 1953.

Whitmer declared states of emergency in Iron and Marquette counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on Monday, April 20, 2026, due to extensive flooding and washed-out roads resulting from snowmelt. The declarations brought the total number of Michigan counties under emergency declarations to 40 out of 83 counties statewide. The emergency declarations followed similar declarations Whitmer issued on Friday in Eaton, Jackson, Mecosta, and Muskegon counties as well as the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a demand on April 14, 2026, requiring Wayne County to turn over all ballots, receipts, and envelopes from the 2024 election within 14 days, citing historical fraud allegations unrelated to the 2024 election cycle. Whitmer characterized the demand as a "poorly disguised attempt to justify more doubt and misinformation about our elections" in a public statement released alongside the Justice Department letter. The demand targeted the county rather than local election administrators who actually maintain custody of ballots in Michigan, according to state election law.

Advocates and state lawmakers called on Gov. Whitmer to grant clemency to Krystal Clark, an inmate at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility who has tested positive for bacteria linked to black mold and exhibits visible symptoms including growths on her ears and swelling. The clemency request was made at a Friday press conference where speakers described widespread mold and unsafe conditions at the facility, with state representatives testifying to observations of Clark's medical symptoms during facility visits. Whitmer has constitutional authority to grant clemency, though her office stated the Governor could not comment because Clark's case is currently under review by the state parole board.

Governor Whitmer signed the bipartisan Clean Slate Act in 2020, which took effect in portions beginning in 2021 and established an automatic expungement process that commenced in 2023. Under the law, misdemeanor convictions are automatically expunged after seven years and eligible felony convictions after ten years, with certain crimes including murder and sexual assault excluded from eligibility. Since the automatic expungement process began on April 11, 2023, approximately 1.58 million Michigan convictions have been cleared according to data from the Michigan State Police.

Whitmer announced a strategic plan in February that includes space development as part of a broader defense and aerospace initiative to spur economic growth in Michigan. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation subsequently sought proposals to establish the state's first Space Innovation Hub, with up to $1.2 million budgeted for the first year to connect and expand space-centered businesses throughout the state. The hub represents an effort to leverage Michigan's existing workforce, universities, supply chains, and manufacturing infrastructure to capitalize on the nation's growing space economy, projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

Whitmer's Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund, a $2.4 billion business incentive program launched in 2022, reported its first job creation results in 2025, with 10 companies awarded $1.74 billion collectively creating 1,846 jobs. The hiring represents approximately 13 percent of the 19,599 new or retained jobs that participating firms committed to create or retain under their SOAR agreements with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Despite these initial results, the Michigan Legislature defunded SOAR for the current budget year amid ongoing scrutiny of whether the taxpayer subsidies achieve their stated economic development objectives.

Michigan Secretary of State Benson announced plans to challenge Trump's March 31 executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to create lists of eligible voters in each state and instructing the U.S. Postal Service to distribute mail-in ballots only to individuals on those lists. Benson stated the order was unconstitutional and exceeded presidential authority over elections, which she characterized as a power reserved to the states. The executive order also required mail-in ballots to include unique barcodes for tracking purposes.

Incarcerated women at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility submitted the Women's Clemency and Resentencing Initiative to the Michigan Legislature on March 4, 2026, developed in collaboration with the American Friends Service Committee, proposing the release of approximately 800 women over three years to address overcrowding. Phase I of the proposal calls on Whitmer to commute the sentences of more than 100 women identified as having demonstrated personal growth and transformation. The policy initiative follows a February House Oversight Committee hearing in which Washtenaw County representatives requested state action to address conditions at the facility related to mold exposure, chemical hazards, and inadequate healthcare access.

Governor Whitmer joined six other Democratic governors in December to petition the Environmental Protection Agency for a monitoring requirement on microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water, arguing that monitoring would reduce public health risks. The Trump administration announced in April 2026 that it would add microplastics and pharmaceuticals to a list of drinking water pollutants that may be regulated in the future under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Whitmer's requested monitoring requirement was not included in the EPA's announcement, which prioritized the pollutants for research and potential future regulation without mandating immediate monitoring of their presence in water systems.

Demolition began in April 2026 at the Maple Creek Preserve megasite in Genesee County, where the state had purchased approximately 90 homes using $261 million in grants to prepare the site for large-scale industrial development. Whitmer's administration supported the demolition despite some homeowners remaining in the subdivision and the absence of a finalized development agreement for the site. Township officials cited vacant and deteriorating properties as public health and safety hazards following the removal of utilities to the area.

Whitmer issued Executive Order 2026-4 declaring an energy emergency and easing fuel blend restrictions to allow the sale of higher vapor pressure gasoline in eight Michigan counties, a fuel type typically 10 to 20 cents cheaper per gallon. The executive order suspends a May 1 requirement for lower vapor pressure gasoline in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair, and Lenawee counties, affecting approximately five million residents. The action was taken in response to rising gas prices driven by international conflict and tariffs, with the state average price reaching $3.89 per gallon at the time of the order.

Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2026-02 on Thursday directing Michigan state departments to assist businesses in seeking refunds on federal tariffs that were struck down by the US Supreme Court in February 2026. The executive order also requires state agencies to issue reports documenting how the tariffs impacted Michigan industries and consumers. The directive was issued in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in 2025 using emergency powers, which the Supreme Court subsequently ruled illegal.

Governor Whitmer requested that lawmakers raise fishing license fees as part of the 2027 budget process, with negotiations on the budget having recently begun. The state Senate approved legislation in the previous fall that would increase the fees, though that bill stalled in the state House. Fishing license fees currently generate approximately $30 million annually for the state.

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Hamtramck on March 27, 2026, to encourage Governor Whitmer to enroll Michigan in the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. The program, approved by Congress the previous year and available starting in 2027, allows donors to receive up to $1,700 in tax credits for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations that fund K-12 education expenses for students in public schools, religious schools, private schools, and homeschools. Whitmer has previously stated she requires additional information before making a decision on state participation in the program, which 27 other states have already joined.

Genesee County business leaders continued efforts to attract an advanced manufacturing facility to a 1,300-acre megasite near Flint Bishop Airport that was funded with $261 million in taxpayer money allocated by Michigan in late 2021. The site was assembled after a previous semiconductor factory deal fell through in 2025, but proponents maintained the property retained potential to address decades of job losses in the region. Governor Whitmer had previously advocated for state subsidies to support securing a major manufacturing tenant at the location.

Whitmer requested $150 million in additional state funding in February 2026 to support site readiness initiatives, including $100 million for an unspecified speculative site and $50 million for site work on a parcel with an identified company. This funding would supplement the $817 million already committed to land assembly and site preparation efforts by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The request comes as the state continues to seek a company to occupy its largest megasite, a 1,300-acre parcel near Flint that has consumed $261 million in taxpayer funding since its assembly began.

Governor Whitmer's administration assembled a $261 million megasite project near Flint Bishop Airport known as Project Grit, intended to attract semiconductor manufacturing and other high-paying industrial jobs to Genesee County without a prior company commitment. The project involved the acquisition of approximately 155 homes, demolition of nearly half of those structures, and the use of more than 100 nondisclosure agreements that kept details concealed from residents and lawmakers for over two years. Despite the substantial public investment and property acquisition, the effort failed to attract a manufacturing facility, leaving the megasite incomplete.

Whitmer announced on March 25, 2026, that nearly 55,000 children are enrolled in Michigan's Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), the state's free preschool initiative, representing the highest enrollment in the program's history. The announcement occurred during a visit to the Henry Doerr Early Childhood Center in Saginaw and noted that enrollment has more than doubled since 2021, with over 4,000 additional students enrolled compared to October 2025. Whitmer's proposed FY27 executive budget includes $181.1 million to continue expanding the program, including funding to open new preschool classrooms as part of the state's Every Child Reads literacy initiative.

The Michigan Department of Corrections launched a "safe prisons initiative" in March 2026 in response to rising assault data within the state's correctional facilities. The initiative focuses on five components including prisoner classification and housing decisions, contraband prevention, prisoner programming, staff training and support, and recruitment efforts. The announcement followed reports documenting 355 assaults against prison employees in 2025, up from 299 the prior year, and 527 assaults against prisoners, up from 481 in 2024.

Benson, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate and current Michigan Secretary of State, unveiled a comprehensive transparency plan on Friday that includes measures to require disclosure of funding sources for accounts that spend millions to influence Michigan elections, commonly referred to as "dark money." The plan also proposes expanding Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, strengthening campaign finance and lobbying disclosure laws, and enhancing financial disclosure requirements for state elected officials beyond the minimum standards currently implemented. Benson stated the reforms are intended to increase public access to government records and enable constituents to hold elected officials accountable.

Whitmer attended the grand opening of Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services' Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health in Grand Rapids, a facility that adds 66 inpatient beds and the state's first pediatric psychiatric urgent care center, with admissions beginning later in March 2026. The state provided $50 million in funding for the center, which includes specialized assessment and treatment for eating and neurodevelopmental disorders. This project is part of a broader effort to expand Michigan's mental health bed capacity by more than 200 beds across multiple facilities in the state.

Michigan legislative leaders announced they had reached an agreement to pass legislation renewing the state's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact before its March 28 expiration date. Without renewal, approximately 8,000 physicians practicing in Michigan would have their medical licenses lapse. Speaker Matt Hall stated that Governor Whitmer was expected to sign the bill, which would allow the doctors to continue practicing in the state.

Whitmer announced 61 apartments coming to Detroit through two redevelopment projects supported by the Revitalization and Placemaking and Build MI Community Grant initiative. The Brush Park project will develop two vacant parcels at 301 and 321 Edmund Place into 57 apartments and retail space, with 20% of units reserved for households earning no more than 80% of Area Median Income. The Mexicantown project will add additional residential and commercial space, with the combined projects expected to generate over $17.5 million in capital investment.

Governor Whitmer called for medical debt reform legislation during her February State of the State address. The Michigan Senate approved two bill packages on Wednesday that would cap medical debt interest at 3% annually, prohibit wage garnishments and foreclosures over unpaid medical bills, and require hospitals to develop payment assistance plans. The legislation now moves to the Michigan House for consideration.

Whitmer met with President Trump at the White House and stated that Trump agreed to reverse a Federal Emergency Management Agency decision that had denied her appeal for federal disaster aid following ice storms that struck northern Michigan in March 2025. Whitmer had initially requested federal assistance in July 2025, and while the administration approved $50 million for governments and nonprofits, it denied aid for homeowners and utilities, a partial denial that Whitmer appealed in August and again after its denial in October. According to Whitmer's office, Trump committed to providing additional federal funding to assist Michigan residents with recovery costs from the storms.

Whitmer signed Senate Bill 495 and House Bill 4141 into law on February 10, 2026, requiring Michigan school districts to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone and wireless communication device use during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies, medical needs, and approved academic use. The bipartisan legislation establishes a statewide expectation while allowing individual districts to determine implementation methods and retain flexibility for emergency access and instructional tool use. The action aligns Michigan with a national trend in which more than 30 states have implemented similar restrictions on student cell phone use during school instruction.

The Michigan House passed a $152 million supplemental appropriation for runway construction at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, a project that Whitmer announced in coordination with President Donald Trump in April 2025 to station F-15EX fighter jets at the facility. House Speaker Matt Hall stated the state funding was necessary to accelerate the timeline for the mission's completion, which federal officials had projected would occur in fiscal year 2028 or later without additional state resources. The measure passed 65-41 and proceeded to the state Senate for consideration.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential awarded $10 million in grants to 67 school districts through the Universal FAFSA Challenge program to encourage districts to adopt policies requiring students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as a graduation requirement. Governor Whitmer established a goal for 2030 in which 60% of working-age adults in Michigan will hold a skills certificate or college degree, up from the current 51.6%. The grants support districts in providing resources such as informational meetings, staff assistance with completing the federal form, and college visits to help students access financial aid information.

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall introduced House Bill No. 4572, a $152 million supplemental spending bill designed to fund runway construction at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in preparation for the arrival of 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets scheduled for fiscal year 2028. Hall sought to advance the bill to Governor Whitmer by spring break, citing the state's ability to move faster than the federal government on infrastructure improvements. Whitmer's office stated the governor would continue working with the legislature and federal officials to secure funding for improvements to support the new fighter and tanker missions at the base.

Whitmer announced the "Every Child Reads" plan during her State of the State address on February 26, 2026, proposing a $625 million investment to address Michigan's literacy crisis, with the state currently ranking 44th in fourth-grade literacy proficiency. The plan includes funding for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training, which focuses on the science of reading and has been mandated for implementation across school districts by the 2027-2028 school year. The initiative follows documented proficiency gaps across Southeast Michigan districts, ranging from 11.7 percent in Detroit Public Schools to 60 percent in Ann Arbor Schools.

In 2023, Whitmer signed two bills into law collectively known as the "Justice for Allie" legislation, which made it illegal for online predators to knowingly target vulnerable adults and manipulate, coerce, or force them to produce sexually explicit images. The legislation was developed over six years by the Hayes family following an incident in which their daughter with Down syndrome was targeted by an online predator when she was a legal adult. The Michigan law subsequently served as a model for federal legislation introduced in Congress by U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell and Haley Stevens.

Governor Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address in Lansing, during which she outlined her administration's economic record and priorities for her remaining time in office. Whitmer highlighted achievements including raising the state's rainy day fund to record levels, enacting seven balanced budgets, maintaining Michigan's top 10 ranking for business for the third consecutive year, improving the state's credit rating, and paying down $28 billion in debt. The governor also addressed infrastructure investments, literacy programs, housing affordability, and homelessness as areas requiring continued attention, while noting a significant bipartisan roads funding agreement.

Whitmer delivered her eighth and final State of the State Address on February 25, 2026, outlining three priority areas for the remainder of her second term: literacy improvement, affordable housing expansion, and medical debt relief. She called for proven literacy practices in all classrooms to address Michigan's fourth-grade reading ranking of 44th nationally, proposed creating a state affordable housing tax credit to unlock federal dollars, and advocated for capping interest rates on medical debt while banning liens and foreclosures on homes related to unpaid medical bills. Whitmer urged lawmakers to complete budget negotiations on time to advance these affordability-focused initiatives.

Whitmer delivered her eighth and final State of the State address on February 26, 2026, proposing increased spending on literacy interventions and expanded preschool access to address Michigan's fourth-grade reading scores, which ranked 44th nationally on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. The governor also called for creation of an affordable housing tax credit and medical debt safeguards while urging bipartisan cooperation. Whitmer acknowledged that despite prior investments in education, Michigan students continued to fall behind and stated that children receiving earlier literacy instruction demonstrated higher reading proficiency rates.

In her State of the State address on February 26, 2026, Whitmer called for continued state funding of universal pre-K for four-year-olds, literacy curriculum, and teacher training to address Michigan's low reading proficiency rates. Michigan ranked 44th nationally in reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, with only 38.9 percent of third-grade students meeting English language arts proficiency standards. Whitmer's proposals build on literacy requirements enacted in late 2024 that mandate dyslexia screening, evidence-based reading instruction, and teacher training in literacy methods beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.

Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address before the Michigan Legislature, outlining priorities for her remaining 10 months in office that included education and literacy initiatives. She presented the "Every Kid Read, Eats, Succeeds" plan, which allocated $625 million toward literacy programs including free pre-kindergarten for approximately 68,000 Michigan children, and $200 million for continued free meals for students. The budget proposal recommended what Whitmer characterized as the largest targeted education investment in Michigan history, with per-pupil spending totaling over $10,000 and a $250 increase per student.

Whitmer publicly announced support for AI data center projects in Michigan, including the Stargate OpenAI facility planned for Saline Township. The governor characterized such projects as aligned with the state's engineering expertise, access to water, and cool temperatures. Whitmer's position reflected an economic development strategy centered on attracting technology infrastructure and associated employment to the state.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit in 2019 in Ingham County Circuit Court seeking to shut down a 4-mile stretch of the Line 5 pipeline that crosses the Straits of Mackinac, citing concerns about potential catastrophic oil spills in the Great Lakes. Enbridge Energy sought to move the case to federal court nearly two years after the 30-day statutory deadline for such removal, prompting a legal dispute over whether courts can grant exceptions to filing deadlines. The US Supreme Court heard arguments in the case on Tuesday to determine whether the dispute should be adjudicated in state or federal court, with the outcome potentially determining the fate of Nessel's shutdown effort.

Whitmer directed the Michigan Department of Education to make individualized determinations regarding compensatory services for students with disabilities affected by pandemic school closures. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights investigated and found that Michigan's guidelines unlawfully limited the circumstances in which compensatory services must be provided to students with disabilities and that the state failed to designate compliance oversight for federal disability law. The matter was referred to an administrative law judge after the federal government and state education department failed to reach an agreement, with the MDE subsequently filing a motion to dismiss the case.

Whitmer signed legislation implementing a classroom cell phone ban in Michigan schools. The measure restricts student use of cellular devices during instructional time. The bill was signed on February 19, 2026.

Whitmer signed two bills on February 10, 2026, that ban classroom cell phone use in Michigan schools, with the laws taking effect in the fall. The legislation requires school districts to implement policies prohibiting devices during instructional time and establish emergency protocols for their use. Michigan became the 35th state to institute classroom cell phone bans at the state level.

Whitmer signed legislation in 2025 banning smartphone use during instructional time in Michigan's K-12 schools, fulfilling one of fourteen policy promises made in her 2025 State of the State address. According to Bridge Michigan analysis, she fully or partially followed through on ten of the fourteen pledges from that address, including a bipartisan road funding deal signed the previous fall. Over her tenure, Whitmer has either delivered or partially delivered on 42 of 62 promises or calls to action made across her annual addresses to the Legislature.

Governor Whitmer signed a cell phone ban law on February 10 that takes effect during the 2026-2027 school year, making Michigan one of nearly three dozen states to implement such legislation. The law prohibits student use of personal cell phones during instructional time in K-12 schools. Implementation of the ban requires school districts to establish enforcement mechanisms and technology policies to support compliance across Michigan's education system.

The Michigan Department of Corrections provided 30,000 inmates with government-issued identification documents through its Returning Citizens Identification Program, which launched in 2020 in partnership with the Michigan Department of State. The program aims to facilitate reentry into society by ensuring released individuals possess the documentation needed to apply for employment, housing, and education. Michigan's recidivism rate stands at 21%, which state officials attribute in part to expanded reentry services and identification access.

Whitmer requested a $1.1 million report on Michigan's Native American boarding schools that was funded by the Legislature and conducted by Oregon-based Kauffman and Associates. The 300-page report, which included interviews with 139 descendants of survivors and 28 survivors, documented accounts of physical and sexual abuse at institutions including the Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church and Indian School in Harbor Springs. The state declined to publicly release the report, citing concerns that survivors and descendants could be identified, though a House committee scheduled a February 27 hearing to examine the decision to withhold the findings.

Whitmer's fiscal year 2027 budget proposal includes $20 million in additional funding for Rx Kids, a maternal cash assistance program that provides expecting mothers with $1,500 and subsequent monthly payments of $500 for their baby's first year. The program, which began in Flint in 2024 and has expanded to Detroit and several other Michigan communities, distributes funds without restrictions on how recipients use the money. Whitmer's office stated that the program supports families across Michigan and aligns with the governor's broader initiatives to improve health outcomes and reduce child poverty.

Whitmer announced two redevelopment projects in Genesee County supported by the state's Revitalization and Placemaking program and Build MI Community Grant initiative. The first project involves converting a vacant historic building in Flint into the Sit Down Taproom & Purveyor, a restaurant themed around the city's 1936-37 labor strike, which received a $250,000 grant and is expected to generate approximately $834,500 in total investment. The second project will transform a vacant building in Montrose into five apartments and more than 2,500 square feet of commercial space, with both developments together expected to generate more than $2.9 million in total capital investment.

Whitmer proposed a tobacco tax increase as part of her 2027 budget plan, which would raise hundreds of millions of dollars designated for healthcare and quality of life improvements. The proposal includes raising taxes on pipe tobacco, dip, and snuff to 57 percent, in addition to increasing the per-pack cigarette tax from Michigan's current $2 rate. Business owners, consumers, and lawmakers across the state have responded to the proposal with varying concerns about its economic impact on retailers and border communities.

Whitmer unveiled an $88.1 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 that includes $13.6 billion in general fund spending and $20.3 billion in school aid. The proposal introduces new revenue sources including a tobacco tax projected to generate $232 million, a vape tax ($95 million), a digital advertising tax ($282 million), and taxes on casino internet wagering and sports betting, while also establishing a back-to-school sales tax holiday and a Senior Property Tax Credit. The budget addresses federal program changes including a $94 million annual cost for SNAP administration and potential impacts from new Medicaid eligibility requirements affecting approximately 200,000 state residents.

Whitmer unveiled an $88 billion state budget proposal on Wednesday, her final budget before term limits end her governorship. The proposal includes $400 million drawn from the state's rainy day fund and approximately $800 million in new taxes on vaping products, tobacco, digital advertising, and other items to fund initiatives including literacy programs and property tax reductions for seniors. Republican-controlled House leadership indicated the chamber would not support the proposed new taxes included in the budget plan.

Gov. Whitmer proposed nearly $800 million in new taxes to address a funding shortfall in Michigan's Medicaid program resulting from changes to federal tax policy. The proposal included taxes on digital advertisements, cigarettes, online casino gambling, nicotine products, and sports betting, along with spending cuts. Republican legislative leaders rejected the tax proposal, stating they would not support tax increases in the budget.

Whitmer unveiled an $88.1 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 that continues state tax exemptions on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits for Michigan workers. The budget allocates $13.6 billion to the general fund and $21.4 billion for school aid while including investments in road infrastructure and public safety. According to the budget presentation, the tax exemptions on overtime and tips help approximately 5,000 Michiganders save an average of $500 annually.

Whitmer signed a bipartisan bill that requires Michigan schools to restrict student phone use during classroom instruction, with exceptions for emergencies and educational purposes. Students retain access to their phones during lunch periods. The legislation aims to reduce classroom distractions and screen time to improve student focus and classroom productivity.

Governor Whitmer responded to President Trump's threat to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge by stating that Canada has paid for the bridge's construction and that it was built with union labor from both sides, characterizing it as an important part of Michigan's economy. Whitmer indicated she was engaged in staff-level and administration-level conversations regarding the situation and stated her expectation that the bridge would open on time. She also noted that the Speaker of the House was raising the matter with the administration and referenced her predecessor's involvement in negotiating the original deal.

Whitmer signed legislation on February 10, 2026, that bans smartphone use during instructional time in Michigan public schools beginning in fall 2026. The law permits students to carry basic phones and retain smartphones in lockers outside classrooms, while allowing school districts to adopt more restrictive policies if desired. The legislation establishes statewide baseline regulations for public school districts while exempting private and parochial schools and medically necessary devices.

Governor Whitmer issued a statement regarding the Gordie Howe International Bridge in response to President Trump's threat to block its opening. Whitmer noted that the bridge was constructed by union workers from both the United States and Canada and would benefit Michigan's auto industry, characterizing the project as an example of bipartisan and international cooperation. Whitmer stated that the bridge would open and that she looked forward to attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Whitmer signed House Bill 4141 on February 10, 2026, legislation that restricts K-12 public school students from using smartphones during instructional time. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark Tisdel and passed with bipartisan support in both chambers, permits device use between classes and during lunch while exempting traditional flip phones and situations involving medical needs or emergencies. The legislation allows individual schools to establish stricter cellphone policies and requires schools to develop action plans by the following fall to implement the restrictions during instructional time.

In a video posted to YouTube on February 4, 2026, Michigan Governor Whitmer objected to President Trump's call for federal control of elections in Michigan ahead of the 2026 midterms, stating that elections would continue to be administered at the state level. Whitmer stated that any federal attempt to take over Michigan elections would constitute an attempt to remove constitutional voting rights. Whitmer noted that Michigan's Republican, Democratic, and independent clerks, working in collaboration with the Secretary of State, have been conducting elections properly.

Whitmer unveiled a budget proposal that allocates $625 million toward literacy initiatives, which she characterized as the largest investment in literacy in state history. The Every Child Reads plan includes funding for before-school, after-school, and summer programs, continuation of Michigan's free Pre-K for All program, implementation of a reading curriculum, and expansion of the LETRS teacher training program focused on reading science. The budget also proposes a sales tax holiday on school supplies and a property tax break for seniors.

Whitmer issued a statement responding to President Trump's suggestion that the federal government should take over election administration in Detroit and other cities. Whitmer stated that Michigan's elections are safe and secure and will continue to be run at the state level as specified in the U.S. Constitution, and characterized any federal takeover attempt as a violation of Michiganders' constitutional voting rights. Whitmer noted that Michigan's decentralized election system, managed by over 1,600 clerks and the Secretary of State, ensures accurate vote counting and certification regardless of electoral outcomes.

Michigan Gov. Whitmer issued a statement on Wednesday stating that a federal takeover of state elections "won't happen on my watch" in response to President Donald Trump's suggestion that federal authorities should take control of elections in cities such as Detroit. Whitmer characterized any such attempt as an effort to take away Michiganders' constitutional right to vote. The U.S. Constitution delegates to states the authority to determine the times, places, and manner of elections for members of Congress, though it grants Congress the power to enact related regulations.

Beginning in October 2026, Michigan will assume responsibility for covering 75% of administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a shift in federal-state cost sharing that state officials estimate will cost Michigan an additional $95 million annually. Whitmer's administration incorporated this anticipated expense into budget recommendations delivered to lawmakers in February 2026. The change was authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which also established potential penalties requiring states to cover portions of SNAP benefit costs if error rates exceed specified thresholds.

In November 2024, Whitmer signed legislation that made filing fraudulent real estate documentation illegal in Michigan. The bills addressed deed theft, a crime involving the fraudulent transfer of property ownership through forged deeds and notarized signatures. The Wayne County Register of Deeds reported that since 2005, its Mortgage and Deed Fraud unit had opened 2,343 cases, resulting in 505 arrests, 347 convictions, and the recovery of 393 stolen homes.

In 2021, the Michigan legislature passed legislation that would have allowed nursing home residents and family members to install cameras in facilities, but the measure did not become law when Whitmer did not sign it. The proposed camera installation policy was discussed during a Bridge Michigan virtual event on nursing home conditions that examined thousands of inspection reports documenting cases of abuse, neglect, and deaths in state facilities. Advocates at the event called for lawmakers to revisit camera installation requirements along with other regulatory changes to improve nursing home oversight and transparency.

Whitmer announced that the Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved a $4 million grant through the Michigan Business Development Program to support Volkswagen Group of America's $13 million investment in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. The investment is designed to retain more than 900 existing jobs in Oakland County while consolidating Volkswagen's technical operations across multiple brands into a shared technical campus. Under the agreement, Volkswagen committed to retaining its Michigan jobs for seven years and completing the investment within the first five years.

Whitmer's fiscal year 2026 education budget excluded $19.4 million previously allocated to intermediate school districts for operating Great Start Collaboratives, regional programs that connect families with early childhood resources and child care information. The budget reduction caused multiple collaboratives across Michigan to close or reduce services, including the elimination of child care scholarships and home visit programs that had operated for nearly two decades. Families retain access to other state programs such as Early On services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays, though program leaders expressed concern that families may lack awareness of available resources without the collaborative network.

Housing advocates, led by Chris Potterpin of the Michigan Housing Council, proposed creating a $42 million state-level Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in Michigan, a program that most states operate but Michigan currently lacks. The proposed credit could facilitate construction of approximately 2,600 additional housing units annually by making affordable housing projects financially feasible. Whitmer has previously prioritized affordable housing expansion through initiatives including the Employer-Assisted Housing Fund and an executive order aimed at expanding awareness of existing housing programs, with a stated goal of building or rehabilitating 115,000 units by 2027.

In 2022, Whitmer requested a state study to document abuses at Michigan's Native American boarding schools and determine the extent of state and local involvement in the institutions. The Department of Civil Rights completed the research in October 2025 after three years and $1.1 million in expenditure, but declined to release the report to the public, citing quality concerns. The tribal research firm that conducted the study accused the state of "whitewashing" the issue, while Native American leaders expressed frustration that survivors' testimonies would not result in public findings.

Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation authorizing the installation of speed cameras in clearly marked Michigan Department of Transportation construction zones. The cameras operate only when construction workers are present on site and issue penalties to drivers traveling 10 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, with fines escalating from a violation notice on the first offense to $150 on the second offense and $300 on the third offense. The legislation aims to protect construction workers and reduce crashes in work zones.

Whitmer announced at the Detroit Auto Show that Michigan is releasing its first Michigan Economic Transition Strategy to support the auto industry through workforce development and business diversification. The strategy addresses economic pressures on the industry including federal tariffs and competition from Chinese automakers, which produced 31 million vehicles in 2024 compared to 10 million made in the United States. Whitmer stated that Michigan needs to prioritize the auto industry, which contributes $348 billion to the state economy and accounts for approximately 1.2 million jobs.

Whitmer unveiled a new executive directive on geologic hydrogen during a speech at the Detroit Auto Show on January 15, 2026, with the goal of making Michigan a national leader in exploration for underground hydrogen deposits. The directive responds to scientific assessments that Michigan ranks among the best locations in the United States to search for naturally occurring underground hydrogen, which produces water rather than greenhouse gases when used as fuel. Whitmer stated that discovery of mineable quantities of geologic hydrogen could generate significant economic benefits for the state, though the broader hydrogen industry currently faces challenges from high production costs and reduced federal incentives.

Whitmer delivered a speech at the Detroit Auto Show in which she stated that the Trump administration's tariff strategy has damaged American auto manufacturing and advantaged Chinese competitors. She characterized the tariff approach as harmful to the automobile sector, citing months of manufacturing contraction, job losses, and production cuts. Whitmer defended the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and argued that the tariff strategy requires a shift in national policy to prevent further deterioration of the industry.

Whitmer called on Michigan lawmakers during her 2025 State of the State address to pass bipartisan legislation limiting cellphone use in classrooms, citing research on impacts to student learning and noting that dozens of states and most of Europe and Canada had adopted similar policies. The Michigan House subsequently approved legislation in a 99-10 vote on January 15, 2026, requiring school districts to adopt policies banning smartphones during instructional time while permitting basic phones, medically necessary devices, and district-owned devices. The bill now awaits consideration in the Michigan Senate, with sponsors targeting approval before Whitmer's 2026 State of the State address.

Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation authorizing the installation of speed cameras in clearly marked Michigan Department of Transportation construction zones to enforce speed limits and protect workers. The cameras will only operate when construction workers are present on site and will issue violation notices for speeds 10 miles per hour or more over the limit, with escalating penalties for repeated offenses. The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to begin installation in 2026, with full implementation expected in 2027.

Whitmer signed the Event Online Ticket Sales Act, commonly known as the "Taylor Swift bills," into law on December 23, 2025. The legislation prohibits the use of automated software to purchase large quantities of event tickets for resale at inflated prices and grants the Michigan attorney general authority to pursue civil action against violators with penalties up to $5,000 per ticket. The bills, which passed with bipartisan support in both the Michigan House and Senate, address enforcement gaps in the existing federal Better Online Ticket Sales Act.

Whitmer signed House Bill 4262 into law on December 23, 2025, which prohibits ticket-purchasing bots from buying large quantities of tickets to concerts, sporting events, and shows. The legislation was introduced by state Representative Mike Harris and addresses concerns about automated systems purchasing tickets at scale and reselling them at inflated prices. The bill was characterized by lawmakers as a bipartisan effort to regulate ticket sales practices.

The Michigan Court of Claims ruled that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' request for proposals to manage $4.9 billion in Medicaid-funded behavioral health services conflicts with state mental health law. Judge Christopher Yates determined that the competitive procurement process impermissibly conflicts with Michigan law in numerous respects but did not require the health department to withdraw the bid entirely. The ruling requires that any modifications to the plan ensure Community Mental Health Service Programs receive sufficient funding to meet their legally mandated obligations.

Michigan House Republicans sued 16 state departments in January 2026 to block $645 million in state funding that had been restored following Attorney General Dana Nessel's determination that the law used to cancel the spending was unconstitutional. The House budget committee had unilaterally canceled the previously funded projects in December 2025, but Nessel's formal opinion issued the following week invalidated the disapproval mechanism, prompting the State Budget Office to resume the planned expenditures. The lawsuit seeks a Michigan Court of Claims judge's order to again block the funding, with House attorneys arguing that Nessel's opinion created a constitutional crisis by enabling the governor's administration to exercise legislative power over appropriations.

Whitmer unveiled the Employer-Assisted Housing Fund in January 2025 with an initial allocation of $10 million to help employers build housing for their workers in response to Michigan's housing shortage, which saw only one housing unit added for every 14 jobs created between 2014 and 2023. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority approved the final $3.2 million in remaining fund dollars in December 2025 for projects in Detroit and Kalamazoo, including housing for Bronson Methodist Hospital employees. As of January 2026, the fund had facilitated 619 total rental units or homes, with employers contributing an estimated $11.7 million in cash or land donations to match the state's $10 million investment.

Whitmer and House Speaker Matt Hall negotiated a $2 billion annual road funding deal that was finalized in October 2025. Road construction executives and industry officials donated more than $400,000 to Michigan lawmakers in 2025, more than double the approximately $204,000 contributed in 2024, with a significant portion raised at a August fundraiser for Hall's leadership PAC before the road funding agreement was completed. The timing and volume of contributions from industry officials whose companies would benefit from the increased road spending raised questions about public confidence in the legislative process, according to campaign finance watchdog Neil Thanedar.

Whitmer signed a road funding package in fall 2025 that restructured Michigan's vehicle registration fees to generate approximately $1.8 billion annually for road repairs and maintenance. Under the formula implemented by this legislation, annual registration fees for electric vehicles increased from $160 to $267, while plug-in hybrid fees rose from $60 to $113, resulting in Michigan having the nation's highest EV registration fees among the 40 states that charge such fees. The fee changes took effect in 2026 when EV and plug-in hybrid vehicle owners renewed their vehicle registrations.

Whitmer and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen appealed a federal court decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals challenging a December 17 ruling that blocked Michigan's enforcement of a 2020 order to shut down the Line 5 pipeline operated by Enbridge Energy beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The district court had determined that while pipeline safety concerns were legitimate, federal rather than state authority governed Line 5's operation. Whitmer's legal team stated the district court opinion appeared wrongly decided on the law and contrary to Michigan's sovereign interests in managing use of state waters.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a legal opinion on January 8, 2026, determining that a state law allowing the House Appropriations Committee to unilaterally cut $645 million in previously approved state spending violated the Michigan Constitution's separation of powers and bicameralism requirements. Nessel stated that the December 2025 cuts made by House Republicans using this mechanism were unconstitutional and that funding would resume flowing to affected programs. House Speaker Matt Hall announced his intention to file a lawsuit challenging Nessel's opinion, characterizing it as a "clearly political decision."

Following a Bridge Michigan investigation documenting poor care, low staffing, and neglect in Michigan nursing homes, State Senator Jim Runestad directed his staff to draft legislation modeled on enforcement actions taken in New Jersey and Connecticut to give the state greater regulatory power over underperforming facilities. Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard vowed to establish an Elder Abuse Task Force within Michigan State Police to enable faster investigation and prosecution of staff members involved in neglect or abuse of residents. The investigation prompted multiple state officials and candidates to announce plans for increased oversight and enforcement of nursing home operators with persistent compliance problems.

Michigan allocated $77 million through the RenewMI environmental remediation program to fund brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects across the state. The state offers developers grants of up to $2 million to assess contamination, plan remediation strategies, and support initial cleanup efforts on the approximately 27,000 known contaminated sites in Michigan, with particular focus on "orphan sites" where no responsible party exists. Governor Whitmer identified brownfield redevelopment as a priority to address the state's housing shortage, with completed projects since 2019 resulting in 474 redevelopment projects in 50 communities and over 20,000 jobs created.

Michigan's general minimum wage increased from $12.48 to $13.73 per hour on January 1, 2026, under the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act, with tipped workers earning at least 40% of the minimum wage. The state's maximum unemployment benefit rose to $530 per week, up from $446, with dependent amounts also increasing as part of unemployment insurance reforms. Additionally, a 24% wholesale excise tax on recreational marijuana transfers to retailers took effect on the same date, layered on top of existing taxes on cannabis sales.

Governor Whitmer identified addressing Michigan's literacy crisis as her top priority for her final year in office in 2026. Senate Majority Leader Brinks proposed public records reform to open the Legislature and governor's office to public records requests, a measure House Speaker Hall has blocked. House Speaker Hall announced his intention to develop property tax reform proposals, potentially modeled on the 1994 Proposal A, for voter consideration in 2026.

Michigan's minimum wage increased from $12.48 to $13.73 per hour on January 1, 2026, with the tipped minimum wage rising from $4.74 to $5.49 per hour under a state law amended by the Michigan Legislature and agreed to by Governor Whitmer in February 2025. The wage increases were part of a settlement that modified a court-ordered schedule, accelerating some increases while scaling back the originally planned tipped wage increase from $7.97 per hour. Additional increases are scheduled for future years, with the standard minimum wage set to reach $15 per hour in 2027 and subsequently tied to inflation.

Whitmer signed Senate Bill 158 and House Bill 4262, collectively known as the Taylor Swift bills, which prohibit the use of automated bots to purchase event tickets in bulk for resale at inflated prices and authorize the attorney general to impose civil penalties up to $5,000 for violations. The legislation applies to tickets for concerts, sporting events, and live shows. Whitmer also signed Senate Bills 96, 97, and 98 regarding child care center door locks, and House Bill 4285 establishing a model firearm safety education course for grades 6–12.

Whitmer signed Senate Bill 158 and House Bill 4262, known as the "Taylor Swift bills," which prohibit the use of automated bots to purchase large quantities of event tickets for resale at inflated prices and authorize the attorney general to impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 for violations. Whitmer also signed Senate Bills 96, 97, and 98, which allow licensed child care centers to install temporary locking systems on classroom and facility doors to protect children and staff during emergencies. Additionally, Whitmer signed House Bill 4285, which directs state education and natural resource agencies to offer a model elective firearm safety course for students in grades 6 through 12 using fake firearms and prohibiting real weapons.

Whitmer signed Senate Bills 96, 97, and 98 on December 23, 2025, legislation that permits child care centers to install temporary door locks on classroom and other doors to secure spaces during emergencies, with provisions requiring that firefighters, law enforcement officers, or staff members retain the ability to release the locking system from outside the room. Whitmer also signed House Bill 4285, which requires the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Education to offer firearm safety courses to students in grades six through twelve using replica firearms, with real firearms prohibited in classroom instruction.

Governor Whitmer supported the 2019 bipartisan auto insurance reform legislation that restructured Michigan's auto insurance system by allowing drivers to choose lower levels of personal injury protection coverage and reducing medical provider reimbursement rates. A December 2025 report commissioned by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, which Whitmer's administration oversees, estimated the reforms resulted in drivers spending an average of $357 per year less than they would have without the changes. Whitmer stated in a recent statement that the 2019 reform "lowered costs for Michiganders" and that the state continues to see positive impacts from the legislation.

Whitmer recently launched a commission designed to reduce traffic deaths in Michigan by 30 percent in response to rising fatalities on state roads. Michigan received low marks from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, a national traffic safety organization, for its road safety laws, ranking among the nine lowest-rated states in the nation. The state recorded 1,099 traffic deaths in 2024, representing an 11.5 percent increase since 2019, though preliminary data from the first half of 2025 showed a 7.9 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2024.

Whitmer signed Senate Bill 158 and House Bill 4262 on December 23, 2025, establishing Michigan's Event Online Ticket Sales Act to prohibit the use of bots in purchasing tickets for concerts, sporting events, and other live performances. The legislation authorizes the Michigan Attorney General to pursue civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation and was modeled after the federal Better Online Ticket Sales Act. The bills aim to prevent automated bulk ticket purchases that inflate prices and limit access for individual consumers.

The Michigan Legislature approved a two-bill package banning online ticket scalping bots and sent it to Governor Whitmer's desk for signature on December 19, 2025. Under the legislation, which passed with bipartisan support in both chambers, individuals using bots to circumvent online ticket purchase limits face civil fines up to $5,000 per ticket, with enforcement through consumer complaints to the attorney general's office. Michigan would become the next state to implement such a ban if Whitmer signs the measure.

The Michigan Public Service Commission approved energy contracts between DTE Energy and a hyperscale data center consortium led by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital on December 18, 2025. The commission attached conditions designed to protect ratepayers from subsidizing the 19-year agreement to power the 1.4-gigawatt Stargate facility in Saline Township. The decision enables construction of the $7 billion data center project, which is expected to generate tax revenue and jobs while drawing scrutiny from residents and advocates citing environmental and energy grid concerns.

Governor Whitmer announced the Michigan Reconnect scholarship program in February 2021, which provides financial aid to residents age 25 and older without a degree seeking to earn a certificate or credential. The program expanded eligibility in September 2023 to include residents ages 21 to 24, though this expanded eligibility expired in December 2024. During the 2023-24 academic year, Michigan awarded $375.4 million in financial aid across more than a dozen state scholarships and grants to 117,336 students.

Michigan House Republicans introduced legislation on Wednesday that would repeal the state's extreme risk protection order law, commonly known as the red flag law, which was signed into law by Governor Whitmer in 2023. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Jim DeSana and backed by 25 fellow House Republicans, seeks to undo the statute that allows authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals believed to pose a risk of harming themselves or others. The legislation faces an unlikely path to passage in the Democratic-led Senate but represents a legislative effort to reverse gun safety measures enacted following mass shootings at Oxford High School and Michigan State University.

Whitmer signed Michigan's conversion therapy ban into law in 2023, which prohibited licensed therapists and counselors from practicing conversion therapy on minors. A federal appeals court blocked the law in December 2025, ruling that it violated the First Amendment rights of therapists by restricting speech based on viewpoint. The court's decision set aside a lower court ruling and granted a preliminary injunction sought by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties.

A federal judge blocked Whitmer's 2020 order to revoke an easement allowing Enbridge Inc. to operate a 4.5-mile pipeline segment beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The judge determined that the Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 grants the federal government exclusive authority to regulate interstate pipeline safety and prohibits states from exercising such regulatory power. Whitmer had ordered the revocation based on concerns that the 72-year-old Line 5 pipeline could rupture and cause a catastrophic oil spill in the Great Lakes.

In 2020, Whitmer ordered the shutdown of the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, citing risks of catastrophic oil spills in the Great Lakes. On December 17, 2025, US District Judge Robert Jonker ruled that federal pipeline safety law preempts Michigan's authority to shut down the pipeline and that the state lacks the power to interfere with the federally regulated infrastructure. Whitmer's office indicated through the Michigan Attorney General's office that it is reviewing the decision and considering a possible appeal.

Whitmer signed tax incentive legislation earlier in the year that made Michigan attractive to technology companies seeking to build data centers. The legislation created tax breaks designed to lure these companies to the state. The action prompted protests at the Michigan State Capitol from residents in affected communities who called for a statewide moratorium on data center development and greater transparency in negotiations between local governments and tech companies.

A federal judge blocked Whitmer's 2020 order to revoke an easement allowing Enbridge Inc. to operate a 4.5-mile pipeline segment beneath the Straits of Mackinac connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker ruled that the Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 grants the federal government exclusive authority to regulate interstate pipeline safety and prohibits states from doing so. Jonker also found that revoking the easement would effectively shut down Line 5, which transports crude oil between Superior, Wisconsin and Sarnia, Ontario, and that Michigan's action interfered with federal foreign policy and United States-Canada trade relations.

Michigan lawmakers introduced a three-bill package to repeal sales and use tax exemptions for hyperscale data centers that were approved in the previous legislative session. State Representatives Jim DeSana and Dylan Wegela sponsored the legislation in response to at least 15 hyperscale data center proposals that have emerged across Michigan since the tax breaks were enacted. The repeal effort faces significant opposition from utility companies that have negotiated energy contracts with data center developers.

Michigan House Republicans voted on December 11, 2025, to cancel $18.5 million in previously approved funding for RxKids, a cash assistance program for pregnant and new mothers operating in more than a dozen Michigan communities. The cut was part of a broader decision by House Republicans to eliminate approximately $645 million in previously approved state spending during a brief Appropriations Committee meeting. Program organizers stated that the funding cut placed expansion plans in limbo, though RxKids remained scheduled to receive $270 million in state funding over the coming year.

Whitmer signed a 2023 law that authorized the return of retro Michigan license plates from previous decades, including white-on-blue designs from the 1970s and white-on-black designs from the 1980s. The legislation enabled the state to introduce a new red, white and blue semiquincentennial plate available beginning January 2, 2026, which commemorates the nation's 250th anniversary. Revenue from the $55 one-time fee for legacy plates, including a $50 contribution per plate, is directed to the Michigan Transportation Fund to support road construction and repairs.

Michigan received a $920 million federal grant to expand high-speed internet access across rural areas, with an additional $550 million in matching funds from providers expected to bring broadband to 200,000 additional homes and businesses over four years. Governor Whitmer announced the funding, which is projected to add 31,000 miles of fiber-optic lines across the state and support a separate state program called Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks that will expand access to an additional 50,000 households in 2026. The investment addresses regional disparities, as 23 counties in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula currently have fewer than 60% of homes with access to broadband service meeting Federal Communications Commission standards.

Governor Whitmer announced that a $920 million federal grant, initially announced in 2023, is now ready for disbursement to expand broadband access to an additional 200,000 homes and businesses in rural Michigan over four years. Combined with $550 million in matching funds from providers, the investment is expected to add 31,000 miles of fiber-optic lines across the state. Whitmer stated that the expansion aims to provide connectivity necessary for access to jobs, healthcare, and education in underserved communities.

Michigan's legislature passed legislation in 2024 establishing a 24% wholesale excise tax on marijuana sales, which Whitmer signed in October to generate revenue for road infrastructure projects. The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association challenged the tax in court, arguing it violated state constitutional provisions, but a Court of Claims judge denied the request for an injunction in late 2025. The 24% tax is scheduled to take effect at the beginning of 2026 in addition to existing 10% retail and 6% sales taxes on marijuana products.

Governor Whitmer issued a pardon to Hmong refugee Lue Yang in October while he was in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody facing deportation based on a decades-old 1997 criminal conviction that had been expunged under Michigan law. Yang was detained by federal immigration authorities in July over the expunged conviction related to an attempted home invasion and remained in custody for more than four months despite the state pardon. Yang was released from federal custody on Wednesday following intervention by state and federal officials, though his deportation order and immigration court proceedings remain ongoing.

Governor Whitmer wrote to the Michigan Public Service Commission urging swift approval of a power contract between DTE Energy and a proposed hyperscale data center in Saline Township, warning that delay could result in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in investment. The Commission was considering whether to approve DTE's request for expedited approval of a 19-year electricity contract or to open a contested case involving lengthy public review procedures. Whitmer stated that other states were pursuing similar projects with less regulatory scrutiny and that "time is of the essence" for Michigan to secure the $7 billion project.

Whitmer endorsed a proposed 1.4 gigawatt data center in Saline Township and supported expedited approval by the Michigan Public Service Commission for DTE Energy's power contract with the facility. The governor stated that rapid approval was necessary to address global computing capacity shortages and maintain economic competitiveness with other states and China. The project, designed for OpenAI by Oracle and Related Digital with an estimated $7 billion price tag, faced public opposition over environmental and energy cost concerns during a virtual MPSC hearing.

Whitmer announced support for a $7 billion OpenAI and Oracle data center development planned for farmland in Saline Township in her October 30 press release. The facility is projected to create more than 2,500 jobs during construction, 450 permanent on-site positions, and 1,500 additional jobs within the surrounding community. The developer Related Digital committed to investing $14 million into local fire departments, a farmland preservation trust, and a community investment fund as requested by the Saline Township Board.

Whitmer signed an approximately $81 billion state budget in early October 2025, and her office indicated she and legislative leaders had agreed to pass new economic development legislation by year's end. The new legislation would replace Whitmer's Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund, which House Republicans defunded in the budget process. Lawmakers from both chambers stated they were negotiating a potential payroll tax credit proposal as part of broader economic development reform in the final weeks of 2025.

In 2022, Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation that authorized creation of a state commission to resurvey the Michigan-Indiana border and appropriated $500,000 to initiate the project. The border between the two states had not been officially surveyed since 1827, and most federal markers placed at that time had been lost over time. Despite the commission's establishment and subsequent requests for proposals, the project has stalled due to difficulty finding surveying companies willing to undertake the full 110-mile resurvey.

On October 7, Whitmer signed the Michigan state budget for fiscal year 2026, which included an allocation of $2.7 billion in federal funding for health care services across the state. The budget allocation was designed to protect core Medicaid services in Michigan in response to projected federal Medicaid reductions under the Trump administration. Whitmer stated the funding was intended to ensure Michigan hospitals maintained resources to remain operational and continue serving patients.

Governor Whitmer signed Michigan's Fiscal Year 2026 education budget into law on October 7, 2025, approximately three months after the typical July 1 deadline. The delay resulted from partisan gridlock between the Democrat-controlled Michigan Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The budget funds Michigan's public education system through the state School Aid Fund, which serves approximately 1.4 million students across the state's public schools.

Whitmer signed the $81 billion Michigan state budget into law on October 7, 2025, which included the establishment of a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana to take effect January 1, 2026. The new tax, in addition to existing 10% excise and 6% sales taxes on marijuana, is designated to fund repairs to local infrastructure including roads and bridges. The revenue from the wholesale tax was designed to address a funding gap created when the budget redirected gasoline sales tax revenue from schools to road funding.

Governor Whitmer created the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force by executive order in the previous year to advise state officials on causes and solutions related to gun violence in Michigan. The task force released its final report in November 2025 containing 39 recommendations, including banning assault weapons, raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21, closing a concealed pistol license loophole, and expanding safe firearm storage options. The recommendations were developed through a public health lens with focus on firearm suicides, which account for 57 percent of firearm-related deaths in Michigan.

Governor Whitmer signed legislation expanding the power of the Michigan Legislature's sergeants-at-arms to investigate threats and alleged crimes outside the state Capitol at the direction of elected officials and to provide security services. The new law was enacted following reported incidents of political violence and threats directed at state lawmakers, including protests at legislators' homes. A separate proposal also advancing in the legislature would remove elected officials' personal information from public records to protect the privacy of lawmakers and their families.

Michigan lawmakers approved a reform measure that requires public disclosure of earmark requests 45 days before final budget votes, replacing a previous process where such spending was often added with minimal advance notice. The compromise bill, which passed both chambers unanimously on Thursday, mandates that earmark requests include sponsor names, recipient information, grant purposes, and amounts, with all requests posted online for public review. The measure is headed to Governor Whitmer's desk for signature.

Whitmer announced that semiconductor maker Sandisk withdrew its plans to build a $63 billion semiconductor complex on a 1,300-acre site in Mundy Township that the state had purchased with $261 million in public funding. The state had prepared to offer Sandisk $6 billion in cash benefits and upward of $20 billion in total incentives, including a 50-year tax break, before the company's withdrawal. A town hall meeting with at least 200 residents in November 2025 revealed ongoing community concerns about the use of state taxpayer dollars for the megasite project, even as some local officials emphasized the importance of job creation for the economically distressed region.

Governor Whitmer signed legislation in early October 2025 that imposed a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana as part of a road funding package designed to raise $420 million annually for Michigan road repairs, with the tax set to take effect January 1, 2026. The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association and licensed cultivator Holistic Research Inc. filed lawsuits in the Court of Claims challenging the tax as an illegal alteration of the 2018 voter-approved ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana sales. State attorneys defending the tax argued in court filings that the new wholesale tax does not alter the text of the 2018 initiative but rather builds upon its foundation, as the original proposal specifically allowed for additional taxes beyond the retail tax it established.

Whitmer's administration included a requirement in Michigan's state budget that school districts must waive attorney-client privileges and submit to state investigation in the event of a mass-casualty event on campus to receive $321 million in school safety and mental health funding. The funding package includes $214 million for per-student mental health and safety grants, $53.5 million for school resource officers and safety dogs, and $53.5 million for mental health staffing. School district groups have raised concerns that the privilege waiver requirement is vaguely worded and may discourage participation in the funding program.

Whitmer signed Michigan's $81 billion state budget in October 2025, which included a $2 million reduction in funding for MiNavigator, a statewide autism services program operated by the Autism Alliance of Michigan. The budget cut resulted in the elimination of 18 positions, or half the organization's staff, and created service delays for thousands of families and individuals seeking autism-related resources and guidance. The Autism Alliance subsequently launched efforts to secure restoration of the funds through a supplemental budget or legislative action.

Whitmer announced the state would provide $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to address food assistance needs during a federal government shutdown. The funding was directed toward feeding Michiganders across all 83 counties and providing food delivery to residents unable to access food banks in person. This action followed Michigan health officials' directive to the state's SNAP vendor to issue full benefits to recipients for November.

State House lawmakers introduced legislation in November 2025 to abolish the Michigan Economic Development Corp., citing concerns about the agency's effectiveness and transparency. Governor Whitmer announced she would veto the bills if they reached her desk, stating the legislation would damage Michigan's economy. The proposed legislation followed similar bills introduced in the state Senate and came after a Bridge Michigan investigation found that cash-for-job subsidy deals under the Whitmer administration delivered approximately 20 percent of promised jobs.

Whitmer announced that $4.5 million will be allocated to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to address increased demand at food pantries during a federal government shutdown that halted SNAP benefit disbursements. The funding was directed to organizations like Forgotten Harvest, which reported a 15 percent increase in demand across its 200 food pantries. The allocation came as more than 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on SNAP faced uncertainty about their monthly food assistance benefits.

Whitmer announced $4.5 million in emergency funds to support the Food Bank Coalition of Michigan in response to federal uncertainty regarding SNAP benefits. The allocation was made following a federal court order requiring continuation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding for November after the Trump administration had suspended the program. Whitmer's emergency funding was intended to assist food banks in Metro Detroit and across the state while legal disputes over SNAP authorization remained unresolved.

Governor Whitmer announced that the State of Michigan will send $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to support food distribution and delivery services across all 83 counties affected by a federal pause in SNAP benefits. The funds are intended to help approximately 1.4 million Michigan residents whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are scheduled to be reduced in November. State officials coordinated this allocation alongside legislative efforts, including a Michigan Senate-approved bill providing an additional $71 million in state food assistance pending House approval.

Whitmer announced that Michigan would allocate $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to support food assistance during a federal government shutdown that threatened to pause SNAP payments to approximately 1.4 million state residents. The announcement came as federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds to continue the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Whitmer had previously called on the Trump administration to deploy contingency funds to maintain SNAP payments during the shutdown.

Whitmer announced that $4.5 million in state funding would be directed to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to support food assistance organizations during a federal government shutdown that paused SNAP benefits. The allocation was part of a broader response to increased demand at food banks across the state as federal nutrition assistance programs faced interruption. The funding was intended to help food banks maintain inventory and services as residents experienced gaps in their SNAP benefits.

Whitmer announced that Michigan was selected as the site for a multi-billion-dollar OpenAI "Stargate" project to be built by Oracle and Related Digital in Saline Township, Washtenaw County. The project is expected to create more than 2,500 union construction jobs, more than 450 permanent on-site positions, and approximately 1,500 additional jobs in the surrounding county. The facility will operate as an advanced AI infrastructure site designed to minimize environmental impact through efficient use of land and water resources without requiring new power generation.

Governor Whitmer announced $4.5 million in state funding for the Food Bank Council of Michigan on October 30, 2025, in response to a federal government shutdown that suspended Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to 1.4 million Michigan residents. The Michigan State Senate separately advanced a $71 million spending plan that included $50 million for food assistance and $10 million in emergency grants to food banks, though constitutional restrictions prevented immediate House consideration before federal SNAP funding expired on Saturday. Whitmer stated the state funding was intended to assist food banks in the interim, though state officials acknowledged the grants represented a temporary measure and could not fully replace the federal nutrition assistance program.

Whitmer announced a multi-billion-dollar OpenAI Stargate artificial intelligence datacenter project to be constructed on 250 acres in Saline Township in Washtenaw County, with construction set to begin in early 2026. The facility will be built by Oracle and Related Digital and is projected to create 2,500 construction jobs, 450 permanent on-site positions, and 1,500 additional jobs in the surrounding county. DTE Energy will supply power for the project using existing resources supplemented by new battery storage investment, with the state pledging no impact on current customers' energy supply or rates.

Whitmer announced grants totaling between $50,000 and $250,000 to 39 villages and small cities across Michigan through the Community Service Infrastructure Fund Category B program. The awards, which include communities in Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties, will support road resurfacing, culvert replacement, pavement crack sealing, and other preservation efforts in municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents. Projects were selected based on criteria including coordination with other infrastructure work, limited access to alternative funding sources, and focus on extending road useful life.

A Michigan Court of Appeals panel ruled that the state House of Representatives must send nine bills passed in 2024 to Governor Whitmer for signature, finding that the Michigan Constitution requires the Legislature to present approved bills to the governor without discretion. The nine bills, which address corrections officer pensions, government health care premium contributions, public assistance debt collection exemptions, and Detroit museum millage proposals, were passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature but not delivered to the governor after Republican leadership took control of the chamber in January. The ruling issued a writ of mandamus ordering the House to present the bills to Whitmer, though House Speaker Matt Hall's office indicated the chamber could appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Whitmer appealed a federal denial of disaster aid assistance following a March ice storm in Northern Michigan, seeking funding for home repairs, utility repairs, and risk reduction efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected the appeal in October, determining that the impact to individuals and households did not meet the threshold for Individual Assistance program designation or utility assistance funding. A separate request for funding long-term projects to reduce future risks remained under review at the time of the denial.

Lawmakers defunded Governor Whitmer's Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund this month, a $2 billion economic development initiative launched in 2022 that aimed to attract major business projects to Michigan. The decision followed several high-profile failures, including the state declaring Gotion Inc. in default of a $175 million incentive award and SanDisk's decision to abandon a planned semiconductor plant in Genesee County. House and Senate legislators indicated they intend to develop revised economic development incentive criteria by year-end that would expand access to a wider range of businesses rather than concentrating resources on large individual projects.

Michigan terminated an electric vehicle battery plant project by Gotion Inc. and sought to recover $23.6 million in disbursed economic development incentives after the company abandoned the project near Big Rapids. The state informed Gotion in September that it was in default of grant obligations due to lack of eligible activities on the site property for over 120 days, with an additional $26.4 million in unspent grant funds returning to the state. Whitmer had supported the $2.36 billion factory in 2022, for which state lawmakers had approved nearly $175 million in total incentives.

Whitmer issued a pardon for Lue Yang, a Hmong refugee detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in July over a home invasion conviction from 1997. Yang entered the United States legally as an infant but faced potential deportation because federal immigration authorities could reference his prior conviction despite its expungement in Michigan state records. At the time of the pardon announcement in October 2025, Yang remained in ICE custody at a facility in Louisiana.

Republican lawmakers held a press conference calling on Governor Whitmer to fire Michigan State Police Colonel James Grady and Deputy Director Lt. Col Aimee Brimacombe, citing a federal lawsuit filed by former officer Sarah Krebs alleging systemic racism, sexism, and harassment, as well as an internal poll showing 98% of troopers lacked confidence in leadership. Whitmer's office responded with a statement expressing full confidence in Grady's leadership, citing significant drops in violent crime in Michigan during his tenure and his more than 25 years of service to the state. The statement characterized the calls for resignation as partisan attacks while reaffirming the administration's focus on public safety.

Whitmer signed a roads funding deal in Macomb County on October 13, 2025, as part of the state's newly enacted $81 billion budget. The agreement allocates nearly $2 billion for state and local road repairs over four years, funded partly through a 24% increase in cannabis sales tax and replacement of sales tax on gasoline with a 20-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase. The deal also includes $417 million for water infrastructure, $322 million for airport improvements, and $40 million for rail grade separation projects.

Whitmer's $2 billion Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve funded the Flint & Genesee County Economic Alliance's acquisition of 1,300 acres near Flint's Bishop Airport for semiconductor manufacturing, with $261 million allocated to assemble the Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County. Following SandDisk's withdrawal from a proposed $63 billion plant deal, the economic development group offered $40 million to purchase Morrish Elementary School and nine surrounding acres from Swartz Creek Schools. The Swartz Creek Board of Education was expected to vote on the school property sale offer in October 2025, with the district planning to use proceeds to construct a replacement school building.

On September 15, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development released a report documenting that federal tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump on August 7 were increasing food prices and reducing agricultural exports in Michigan. Whitmer stated in an accompanying press release that action was needed to support farmers and local producers, calling for the state to pass a balanced, bipartisan budget that funds infrastructure and programs for farmers and food producers. Whitmer noted that while the state could not change the national tariff rate, Michigan must work at the state level to support those in the agricultural sector.

Whitmer approved the deployment of 120 soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard's 1430th Engineer Company to the Southwest Border to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations. The soldiers departed from Kalamazoo on October 17, 2025, marking the sixth Michigan National Guard deployment to the Southwest Border since 2020. The deployment was expected to last up to one year.

State Senator Sam Singh introduced legislation that would indefinitely prohibit Michigan from issuing new licenses for marijuana testing labs, transportation companies, and large growing operations beginning in 2026, while capping retail marijuana stores in municipalities to one location per 10,000 residents. The proposal would allow existing businesses in over-saturated markets to continue operating but prevent new retail licenses from being issued in communities exceeding the cap ratio. The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association supported the measure, citing oversupply, declining prices, and the pending implementation of a 24 percent wholesale marijuana tax in January as factors affecting business viability.

Whitmer announced a $40 million plan to construct a multimodal transportation hub adjacent to Michigan Central station in Detroit that would accommodate intercity bus service and passenger rail service connecting to Amtrak's Chicago-Detroit Wolverine line and extending through an underwater tunnel to Toronto. The hub, to be built on Ford Motor Company-owned land across from the historic station, is projected to open in 2028 and accommodate approximately 66,000 annual riders. The Michigan Department of Transportation, City of Detroit, and Michigan Central signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct research and engineering studies, with the project requiring approval from the Canadian government and completion of environmental and design assessments.

Whitmer announced on October 15, 2025, a memorandum of understanding signed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the city of Detroit, and Michigan Central to develop a new transit hub within the Michigan Central Innovation District with an initial $40 million investment. The proposed facility will include an intercity bus station and passenger rail service, with plans to extend Amtrak's Chicago-Detroit Wolverine train to Windsor and Toronto. The project will consolidate existing bus and rail services currently operating at separate locations and is supported by a $10 million Federal Transit Administration grant and $30 million in state funding.

Whitmer signed a bipartisan state budget aimed at maintaining current Medicaid spending levels in response to anticipated federal funding losses from changes to the tax treatment of insurance provider assessments under federal law. The budget was accompanied by new legislation that would allow Michigan to create a replacement tax on private insurers to replace the existing insurance provider assessment, which may be invalidated under new federal rules. According to state fiscal analysts, Michigan currently collects approximately $650 million annually from the insurance provider assessment while receiving $1.75 billion in federal matching funds, enabling the state to redirect revenues to other budget priorities.

Whitmer announced a memorandum of understanding among Michigan Central, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the City of Detroit to construct a $40 million multimodal transportation hub on the Detroit Central campus south of an existing Department of Public Works yard. The facility is planned to serve as a central hub for bus services operated by Greyhound, Indian Trails, SMART, and potentially the Regional Transit Authority and Detroit Air Xpress, with preliminary engineering and environmental assessments scheduled for completion by October 1, 2026. The project aims to return train service to the Michigan Central Station grounds through a proposed extension of the Chicago-Detroit Amtrak Wolverine line to Windsor and Toronto, with the facility targeted to open by December 31, 2028.

Whitmer signed a $24.1 billion education budget on October 13, 2025, which continues free school meals for all 1.4 million students in Michigan's public schools regardless of income. The budget includes record per-pupil funding of $10,050, $122 million for literacy support initiatives, free pre-kindergarten and community college programs, and recruitment and retention bonuses for educators. The Michigan Legislature had passed the bipartisan budget earlier in the month.

Whitmer signed the roads deal component of Michigan's $81 billion state budget at a special event in Clinton Township on October 13, 2025. The agreement allocates nearly $2 billion for state and local road repairs over four years, with additional funding designated for water infrastructure, airport improvements, and rail grade separation projects. The road funding is supported by a 24 percent increase in the cannabis sales tax, estimated to generate approximately $420 million annually, and a replacement of the sales tax on gasoline with a 20-cent-per-gallon increase in the gas tax.

Whitmer signed a long-term road funding bill in Clinton Township on Monday that redirects gas tax revenue previously allocated to school funding entirely toward road infrastructure. The legislation includes a 24 percent tax on marijuana to supplement funding and is projected to allocate nearly $2 billion for state and local road improvements over four years, including $100 million for bridge repairs and replacements, $100 million for public transit projects, and $40 million for rail grade separation initiatives. The bill was developed through bipartisan collaboration in the state legislature and represents a shift in Michigan's transportation funding structure.

Whitmer signed a $2 billion road funding package into law that restructures Michigan's transportation financing through multiple revenue mechanisms. The legislation eliminates the sales tax on gasoline while implementing a 20-cent-per-gallon increase in the gas tax, redirects corporate income tax revenue to roads, and introduces a 24 percent wholesale tax on marijuana expected to generate approximately $420 million annually. Local road agencies receive substantial funding increases under the plan, marking a shift from Whitmer's prior 2019 bonding initiative that had primarily directed resources to state-owned trunklines.

Whitmer signed Michigan's $81 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year on October 1, 2025, following bipartisan legislative approval. The budget includes $14.1 billion in general fund appropriations and allocates nearly $2 billion in ongoing road funding phased over four years, $417 million for water infrastructure, continued tax cuts for seniors and working families, and $1.6 billion in revenue sharing to local governments for public safety services. The budget was finalized after a brief government shutdown and seven-day extension to complete negotiations.

Whitmer signed the Michigan state budget that includes a requirement for school districts to notify parents if their schools use a K-5 reading curriculum that is not on the state's list of evidence-based curricula or is not aligned with state standards. The notification must inform parents that the curriculum being used "could negatively impact student academic outcomes." The budget also includes a provision that prohibits schools from using financial incentives to encourage student attendance on Count Day.

Whitmer signed a budget bill on October 8, 2025, that eliminates state taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security income in Michigan. The law eliminates taxes on tips, which Whitmer stated would save workers an average of $200 annually. The measure was presented as tax relief for working Michiganders and seniors.

Whitmer signed legislation that exempts tips, overtime pay, and Social Security income from Michigan's 4.25% state income tax for three years through the 2028 calendar year. The exemption on tips was projected to save approximately 300,000 workers an average of $400 annually, while the overtime exemption would save up to 500,000 workers an average of $500 yearly, and the Social Security exemption would save 40,000 seniors $500 per year. The tax deductions were part of a bipartisan budget agreement and will expire after 2028 unless extended by lawmakers, with nonpartisan analysis estimating the state will forgo approximately $158 million in revenue in the following year.

Whitmer signed the Comprehensive Road Funding Tax Act, which implements a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana estimated to generate approximately $420 million annually for road funding as part of an $81 billion state budget compromise. The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association filed a lawsuit challenging the tax's constitutionality, arguing that the new law improperly alters the 2018 voter-approved legalization measure without meeting the three-fourths legislative supermajority required to amend voter-approved laws. The tax passed the legislature with 19-17 support in the Senate and 78-21 in the House, both below the constitutional threshold for amending the original legalization statute.

Whitmer signed an $81 billion state budget on Tuesday that includes a provision transferring information technology system oversight from the Secretary of State's office to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget. The budget language requires the Secretary of State to delegate all responsibility for procurement, development, and maintenance of information technology services to DTMB, a shift that House Republicans attributed to concerns over the flawed rollout of a new transparency portal for campaign finance and lobbying disclosures. Legal questions remain regarding the enforceability of the provision, which could affect IT systems used for elections administration, voter records maintenance, and motor vehicle operations.

Michigan lawmakers did not include $10 million in the state's 2026 budget that Whitmer requested to fund population growth initiatives through her Michigan Growth Office. The office had provided grants to communities statewide to encourage relocation and implemented programs such as career fairs and recruitment efforts in regions like southwest Michigan. The budget instead directed increased funding toward roads and education, two priorities identified in Whitmer's population task force recommendations released in 2024.

Whitmer signed an $81 billion state budget on October 7, 2025, following months of negotiations between the governor and a divided Legislature. The spending plan included long-term road funding, a new marijuana tax, and represented a compromise between the $78.5 billion proposed by House Republicans and the $84.5 billion proposed by Senate Democrats. Whitmer did not exercise her veto power on any spending items in the budget and stated that legislative leaders would revisit economic development programs by year's end.

Whitmer signed House Bill 4706 in September 2025, a nearly $81 billion state budget that was passed by the Michigan House and Senate after the legislature failed to meet the constitutional October 1 deadline. The spending plan allocated $2 billion for roads, eliminated approximately 2,000 government positions, provided tax breaks for senior citizens, and continued free student meal programs. Whitmer stated in a press release that the bipartisan budget provided tax relief to seniors and working families while protecting healthcare access and supporting student academic success.

Michigan legislators removed funding for the Strategic Operating and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund from the 2026 state budget in October 2025, eliminating a business subsidy program that Whitmer had championed since 2021. The program, which had distributed over $2 billion in incentives while spending approximately $1 billion during Whitmer's tenure, had faced growing criticism over its performance, with only 21 percent of promised jobs materialized as of mid-2025. Whitmer had requested an additional $500 million in funding for SOAR before the legislature voted on a bipartisan basis to exclude the program from the budget.

Michigan state lawmakers approved an $81 billion budget that allocates more than $24 billion to education funding, with public schools receiving just over $10,000 per student, representing a 5% increase from previous funding levels. The budget maintains free school lunch programs for all students throughout the state. The spending plan now awaits Whitmer's signature.

Michigan lawmakers passed state budget bills in late Thursday night into Friday morning votes in both the House and Senate. The legislation, which includes a provision ending sales tax on gasoline for cars, was sent to Governor Whitmer's desk for final signature. Whitmer retained authority to sign or veto the budget bills before they could take effect.

The Michigan Legislature approved a $24.12 billion education budget that included a $10.61 billion K-12 spending plan with a 4.6% per-pupil funding increase to $10,050 per student, along with provisions for free school meals and additional funding for at-risk students. Governor Whitmer indicated her expected signature on both the education spending bill and the broader $81 billion state budget agreement that the Republican-led House and Senate passed in early morning votes. The budget represented record per-pupil funding for Michigan schools and included a small increase for higher education institutions.

Whitmer signed an $81 billion state budget passed by the Michigan Legislature early Friday morning after a months-long stalemate between the Republican-led House and Democratic-led Senate. The budget includes nearly $2 billion in road funding, cuts to vacant government positions, and continuation of free student meals, while excluding $50 million in funding for a proposed Upper Peninsula mine and new fees on hunting and fishing licenses. The spending plan totals less than the $82.5 billion budget signed the previous year and represents a compromise between the $84.5 billion proposed by Senate Democrats and the $78.5 billion proposed by House Republicans.

Governor Whitmer sent a letter to Michigan school superintendents on October 1, 2025, stating that free school meals would continue for students as part of a school aid bill that Republicans and Democrats had agreed upon. The bill was expected to receive a House and Senate vote on October 2, 2025, after which it would proceed to Whitmer's desk for review and signature. Whitmer also signed a continuation budget on an unspecified date to keep state government operating until October 8 while lawmakers completed work on the full fiscal year budget.

Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers negotiated a final state budget after passing a stopgap spending bill to extend discussions beyond the constitutional deadline. The proposed budget includes $10,050 per-pupil funding for fiscal year 2026, continued funding for universal free school meals, nearly $2 billion for road repairs, and $26 million for a fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The budget also incorporates provisions exempting tips, overtime, and Social Security from state income tax and establishes permanent rules requiring budget earmarks to be made public before final votes.

Republican lawmakers in Michigan's Upper Peninsula sought $50 million in state grant funding for Highland Copper Co.'s proposed Copperwood mine project near Porcupine Mountains, which would support infrastructure improvements for the $450 million mining operation. State House Speaker Matt Hall's office confirmed in October 2025 that the funding would not be included in the final state budget bills. The project has faced environmental opposition from advocates concerned about potential impacts to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and Lake Superior, while local officials and economic developers have supported the mine development.

Whitmer signed a $1.6 billion stopgap spending bill passed by the Michigan legislature in the early morning hours of October 2, 2025, authorizing state government operations to continue through October 8 after officials missed a constitutional deadline to finalize a full budget. Prior to the stopgap measure's passage, Whitmer issued a memo to the state Budget Director authorizing the release of payments to maintain continuity of government operations and services. The action prevented an immediate state government shutdown, with lawmakers and the administration expected to complete budget negotiations later in the week.

Michigan lawmakers passed a seven-day extension of the previous budget in the early morning hours of October 1, 2025, sending the measure to Whitmer's desk to end a brief government shutdown that had begun at 12:01 a.m. when the fiscal year commenced without an approved budget. Whitmer received the budget extension as state House and Senate sessions concluded shortly before 2 a.m., allowing normal state operations to resume. According to Whitmer, state lawmakers were close to finalizing a comprehensive budget deal to fund the state through the new fiscal year, which lawmakers intended to complete within the week.

Governor Whitmer and legislative leaders announced in late September 2025 that they had agreed to include funding for free breakfast and lunch for Michigan public school students in the upcoming state budget, though specific bill language remained under development. State funding for the universal free meal program, which had been in place for two years at a cost of $200 million annually, expired on September 30, 2025, creating uncertainty for school districts about whether to continue offering meals at no cost to families. In the absence of a finalized budget, individual school districts made varying decisions about meal costs, with some districts maintaining free meals temporarily while others began charging families or announced they would absorb costs independently.

Whitmer signed a continuation budget on October 1 to temporarily fund Michigan state government for one week and prevent a shutdown after lawmakers failed to pass a full budget before the midnight deadline. The continuation resolution, passed by both the Michigan House and Senate in early morning hours, allowed state employees to continue working and government services to remain uninterrupted while legislators worked toward finalizing a bipartisan budget deal. Whitmer stated that state government operations would continue and expressed readiness to conduct a legal review and sign the full budget once lawmakers completed their work.

Michigan lawmakers passed a seven-day extension of the previous budget and sent it to Whitmer's desk early Wednesday morning to end a state government shutdown. The extension was intended to provide time for the House and Senate to finalize a comprehensive budget agreement to fund the state through the new fiscal year. Whitmer received the legislation as the deadline for continued government operations passed.

Whitmer previously proposed a 32% wholesale tax on marijuana as part of state budget negotiations, while the Michigan House voted to impose a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana sales beginning January 2026. The tax is intended to generate approximately $420 million annually for road and bridge repairs and is part of a broader agreement to avoid a state government shutdown. The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association announced it is evaluating whether to challenge the tax through litigation, citing constitutional requirements regarding amendments to voter-approved initiatives.

Whitmer announced on Tuesday that Michigan government operations would continue "up and running" even if state officials failed to meet the midnight constitutional deadline for passing a balanced budget. In a joint statement with legislative leaders, Whitmer indicated that a budget agreement had been reached but not yet drafted for legislative votes, with adoption expected sometime during the week. Whitmer stated she was prepared to conduct a legal review and sign the budget into law once lawmakers sent it to her, while state employees would report to work and continue providing services.

Whitmer and the leaders of the state House and Senate announced an agreement to pass the School Aid Budget and state budget before October 1, described as a bipartisan framework that includes $2 billion for road funding. The agreement incorporates priorities from both Democrats and Republicans, including tax provisions on tips, overtime, and social security, as well as increased tax revenues on marijuana sales. Lawmakers were expected to vote on the final budget the following week, with Hall indicating the total budget would be lower than the previous year's $81.5 billion.

The Michigan House approved the Comprehensive Road Funding Tax Act on September 25, 2025, which imposed a 24% tax on the wholesale price of marijuana sold to retail shops, projected to generate $420 million annually for road construction and repairs. The bill passed with bipartisan support in a 78-21 vote as part of a larger state budget framework announced by Governor Whitmer, Senate Democratic Leader Brinks, and House Speaker Hall to avert a government shutdown. The marijuana tax rate represented a reduction from the 32% rate Whitmer had initially proposed in her own roads funding plan.

Whitmer and Michigan legislative leaders announced a tentative agreement on the state budget on September 25, 2025, which includes dedicated funding for road repairs and modifications to tax policy. The agreement includes between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion in road funding over five years, a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana generating approximately $420 million annually for roads, and a three-year exemption of tips and overtime pay from state income tax. The budget deal must be passed by the legislature and signed by Whitmer by October 1 to prevent a government shutdown.

Michigan Senate Democrats introduced legislation in September 2025 that would eliminate $500 million in annual funding for the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund, Whitmer's signature economic development program established to provide business subsidies and land development incentives. The proposal emerged during budget negotiations as lawmakers sought to redirect funding toward road infrastructure to avoid a government shutdown. Whitmer had previously advocated for continued SOAR funding in her budget proposal and public statements, though the program had become subject to scrutiny regarding the return on investment from the subsidies provided to companies.

Southwest Michigan regional leaders launched the Discover Southwest Michigan program, which uses $100,000 in state funding to provide $5,000 housing down payment assistance to out-of-state residents who relocate to Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren counties and secure employment paying at least $40,000 annually. The program received more than 700 applications after opening in spring 2025 and differs from a previous Berrien County relocation effort that attracted only eight households before ending. Officials stated the initiative aims to address flat or declining populations in the three counties, expand the tax base, and fill job vacancies in the region.

Whitmer's administration has not notified state employees whether they would be laid off in the event of a government shutdown expected to occur if Michigan's budget was not finalized by October 1, 2025. This approach contrasted with previous near-shutdown situations in 2007, 2009, and 2019, when state employees received advance notice of their employment status. Michigan Civil Service Commission rules adopted in February 2025 eliminated the requirement to notify employees of temporary layoffs lasting 20 days or fewer in a fiscal year, though union leaders stated that advance notification would be appropriate regardless of legal obligation.

Whitmer advocated for continuing state funding specifically designated for free breakfast and lunch for all Michigan students as the state approached its October 1 budget deadline. She stated that designating dollars for meals ensures all students have access rather than creating disparities among those who qualify for federal assistance and those who do not. Whitmer indicated she would work with legislators to resolve budget differences and complete the budget on time.

Whitmer advocated for retaining funding for the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s mega-deal programs during budget negotiations, stating the agency should leverage Michigan's workforce and manufacturing heritage to compete economically. The Democratic-led Senate proposed reallocating $40 million of the agency's $100 million cash-for-jobs budget toward talent partnerships, while the Republican-led House proposed eliminating the Strategic Outreach and Operating Reserve program entirely, citing concerns about low returns on over $2 billion in state deals. The funding dispute remained a key point of contention in the state budget negotiations, with a government shutdown deadline of October 1, 2025.

Michigan expanded its identification program to include people leaving Wayne County jail, building on an initiative that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson first launched at state prisons in 2020. The program, which had previously operated in Kent, Ingham, Genesee, and Washtenaw counties, has issued identification documents to approximately 20,000 people since its inception. According to Sheriff Raphael Washington, roughly 60 percent of individuals held at the Wayne County jail lack valid state identification.

Governor Whitmer criticized what she characterized as "shortcomings" in a House Republican budget proposal during budget negotiations that were ongoing as of late September 2025. Whitmer stated she believed a state government shutdown scheduled for October 1 was avoidable and expressed confidence that a budget could be finalized that addressed priorities from the House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and her administration. The delay in finalizing Michigan's K-12 education budget, which was expected to allocate $21 to $22 billion in funding, prompted school districts across the state to take preparatory measures including obtaining loans and adjusting hiring plans in anticipation of potential funding disruptions.

Whitmer stated on Monday that Michigan will not request National Guard troops be deployed to Detroit as a crime deterrent, describing such tactics as unwarranted. The statement came five days after Vice President JD Vance indicated the Trump administration would be willing to send National Guard forces to Detroit if requested by the governor. Detroit's violent crime rate has declined in recent years, including reaching the lowest murder count in nearly 60 years in 2024, though the city's homicide rate remains higher than several larger U.S. cities.

On July 17, Whitmer signed an executive directive establishing the Advanced Air Mobility Initiative, a program designed to expand Michigan's advanced aerial vehicle capabilities and aviation sector infrastructure. The directive allocated more than $4.1 million to four new projects, including M-Air, which will develop a 40-mile air mobility corridor connecting the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus to Michigan Central in Detroit. M-Air will operate as part of M-City, a public-private partnership within the University's Transportation Research Institute focused on advancing innovation in transportation and aerial mobility.

Whitmer criticized tariffs this week and pushed for a farmer-friendly state budget in response to trade disputes affecting Michigan agriculture. State data released Monday showed Michigan agricultural exports fell significantly in the first half of 2025, with soybean meal exports down 46 percent, wheat exports down 89 percent, fresh cherry exports down 62 percent, and fresh apple exports down 58 percent compared to the prior year. The declines resulted from tariffs stemming from Trump administration trade policies, a summer drought in key growing regions, and a Chinese boycott of U.S. soybeans.

Governor Whitmer entered Michigan's budget negotiations on September 16, 2025, stating that while she would not sign the House Republican budget passed on August 26, the legislature bore responsibility for passing a budget before the October 1 deadline to avoid a government shutdown. Whitmer indicated her budget team would continue participating in discussions between House Republicans and Senate Democrats, who had been at a stalemate for months over the state's spending plan. With 15 days remaining until the potential shutdown, state employees, contractors, school districts, and public safety agencies faced potential disruptions if lawmakers did not reach agreement on a final budget.

Whitmer issued a directive instructing state agencies to review and remove barriers to COVID-19 vaccine access in Michigan and to ensure that health insurance providers continue covering COVID-19 vaccines. The directive specifically tasked the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs with working with pharmacies and healthcare providers to make vaccines available and to issue guidance regarding vaccine safety and efficacy. The action was announced ahead of a federal advisory committee meeting expected to propose changes to immunization recommendations.

Whitmer urged Michigan lawmakers from both parties to pass a state budget before October 1 to avoid a government shutdown that could result in thousands of layoffs and cuts to state programs. Whitmer stated she would sign a budget reflecting shared priorities including education funding, wage increases, cost reduction, road funding, and public safety. With fourteen days remaining to reach a deal, Whitmer expressed optimism that an agreement could be achieved while cautioning that failure to pass a budget would increase economic uncertainty and reduce job opportunities.

Whitmer delivered a Capitol speech in which she characterized Michigan's economy as showing "undeniable signs of an ailing economy" and cited factors including inflation, wage stagnation, rising debt, and unemployment. She criticized federal tariffs for creating economic uncertainty and their particular impact on Michigan's automotive and agricultural sectors. Whitmer urged state lawmakers to pass a balanced state budget before the October 1 constitutional deadline to avoid a government shutdown.

Governor Whitmer signed a state budget bill in the previous fiscal year that included $2.5 million in grants for baseball stadiums in Lansing and Utica as part of a larger spending measure. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy challenged the grants in Michigan's Court of Claims, arguing they violated the state constitution's requirement that local or private projects receive approval from two-thirds of both legislative chambers, though the budget passed with simple majorities in each chamber. Judge Brock Swartzle indicated he would rule by year's end on whether to temporarily halt the stadium grants pending the outcome of the constitutional challenge.

State funding for Michigan's farm stress counseling and suicide prevention program, which operates through Michigan State University Extension, was not included in budget proposals from the House, Senate, or Governor Whitmer as of September 2025. The program, which has provided teletherapy and business management training to farmers since 2020, would lose 56 percent of its total funding if the proposed budgets were adopted. Lawmakers faced an October 1 deadline to approve a state budget that would determine whether the $112,000 in state support for the four-year program would be restored.

Whitmer's administration began contingency planning for a potential Michigan government shutdown that would occur automatically if the Legislature and governor failed to finalize a budget by October 1, 2025, as required by state Constitution. Essential operations including state police and corrections officers would continue during a shutdown, while state parks and Secretary of State branches could face closures or reduced hours. Michigan previously experienced shutdowns in 2007 and 2009, each lasting only a few hours, though a prolonged shutdown could significantly affect approximately 50,000 state workers.

Governor Whitmer called special elections for Michigan's 35th State Senate District on Friday, scheduling a primary for February 3, 2026, and a general election for May 5, 2026. The seat had remained vacant for 238 days following the January 3 resignation of former state Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet to join Congress. Candidates were required to file to run by September 30, with the winning candidate to serve the final seven months of the four-year term unless reelected in November 2026.

Governor Whitmer backed a $20 billion incentive package to attract Sandisk to build a semiconductor manufacturing complex in Mundy Township near Flint, Michigan. The state offered subsidies including cash, tax credits, and a 50-year property tax break as part of a total incentive package approaching $40 billion when combined with federal and local contributions. Sandisk withdrew from the project in July 2025, and state economic development officials subsequently defended the incentive offer before a legislative committee scrutinizing the deal.

Whitmer signed House Bills 4047 and 4048, bipartisan legislation that prohibits the creation and dissemination of non-consensual intimate deepfake pornography in Michigan. The bills, sponsored by State Representatives Matthew Bierlein and Penelope Tsernoglou, make it illegal to create or distribute artificial intelligence-generated sexual imagery of an individual without their consent. The legislation establishes legal remedies for victims of non-consensual intimate deepfakes and addresses what Whitmer characterized as a rising form of sexual exploitation.

Governor Whitmer stated she would reject a state budget plan passed by the Republican-controlled House that included a 7% funding reduction for the Michigan State Police and elimination of 433 positions. Whitmer declared "I am not going to sign a budget into law that does that. We've got to keep communities safe" in response to the proposed cuts. The budget dispute remained unresolved as lawmakers worked toward an October 1 government shutdown deadline, with Democrats characterizing the reductions as cuts to essential services and Republicans arguing the plan eliminated unfilled positions and included waste reduction measures.

Whitmer signed House Bills 4047 and 4048 into law, legislation that criminalizes the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes depicting specific individuals without their consent. Under the law, a first offense constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $3,000, while subsequent offenses are felonies punishable by up to three years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. The bipartisan bills were sponsored by Representatives Matthew Bierlein and Penelope Tsernoglou.

The Michigan Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would curtail the state's hazardous waste disposal industry through a moratorium on new or expanded hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities, raised disposal fees, and restrictions on radioactive material landfilling. The two-bill package would increase landfill tipping fees from 36 cents per ton to $1.20 per ton for nonhazardous waste and from $10 to $25 per ton for hazardous waste, with provisions for inflation adjustments every five years. The legislation now advances to the House, where it faces uncertain prospects in the GOP-majority chamber.

Governor Whitmer appealed a Federal Emergency Management Agency decision that approved $50 million in federal disaster aid for state and local governments and nonprofits following a March ice storm in northern Michigan, but denied aid to individual households and public utilities. Whitmer's appeal letter to FEMA stated that residents in the affected region were vulnerable and would struggle to recover without direct federal assistance, citing examples such as utility company Presque Isle Electric & Gas, which estimated $150 million in damages that would otherwise result in household surcharges of at least $4,500. The appeal received bipartisan support from Michigan's two Democratic U.S. senators and Republican U.S. Representative Jack Bergman.

Whitmer spoke publicly about the Michigan School Meals program, which has provided free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income for the past two years, stating that the program's continuation depends on passage of a state budget. Whitmer indicated that she included funding for the program in the budget she introduced and expressed hope that it would be included in any budget she signs. Without an approved budget, the program was set to expire at the end of September.

Whitmer spoke publicly about the Michigan School Meals program on Wednesday in Romulus regarding uncertainty surrounding the continuation of free meals for Michigan students. The program has provided free meals to school students regardless of income for the past two years. Without an approved state budget, parents have been informed that the program could terminate in the near future.

Whitmer sought $3 billion in additional annual road funding as a condition for reaching a state budget agreement with the Michigan Legislature as of August 2025. Whitmer's road funding plan relied on tax increases including on marijuana to ensure all taxes paid at the gas pump go to roads. The governor's proposal diverged from a separate House Republican road funding plan that would require broad but unspecified spending cuts to achieve similar funding levels.

Michigan's state Senate passed bipartisan legislation that would criminalize the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes, with first offenses punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum $3,000 fine, and subsequent offenses as felonies punishable by up to three years in prison. The two-bill package, which was previously approved by the House but has since been amended to grant technology companies immunity for hosting such content, must return to the House for final consideration before proceeding to Governor Whitmer's desk. The legislation would also establish a civil cause of action allowing victims to sue creators or distributors of sexual deepfakes in the county where either party resides.

Whitmer visited President Trump at the White House to request a three-year transition period for Michigan to adapt to changes in the Medicaid program outlined in Trump's tax and spending legislation. The requested delay would allow the state time to adjust to a federal freeze on provider taxes and the elimination of Michigan's Insurance Provider Assessment, which currently generates approximately $450 million annually for the state and enables access to $1 billion in federal matching funds. Whitmer stated that the Medicaid changes would create serious financial consequences for Michigan, which allocates approximately one-third of its state budget to the program.

A report from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan warned that the federal "big, beautiful bill" signed by President Trump will require Michigan to absorb approximately $1.1 billion in increased costs for Medicaid and SNAP food benefits by 2032, as the legislation shifts certain cost-sharing responsibilities to states. The report projected that Michigan will lose $677 million in tax revenue in the next fiscal year due to federal income tax changes included in the bill. The finding compounds existing budget pressures in Michigan, which was already operating without a finalized budget for the upcoming fiscal year and facing reduced federal COVID spending.

Michigan enacted a tax capture law in 2023 that allows local governments to offer property tax incentives to developers who include affordable or attainable housing units in their projects. As of July 2025, state and local officials had approved 14 projects utilizing the law, resulting in an estimated $84 million in tax captures and creating 586 housing units designated for residents earning 120 percent or less of median income. The program has generated debate regarding its cost-effectiveness, with the affordable units costing approximately $144,000 each in foregone property tax revenue.

Whitmer signed the state budget in 2024 that included $500,000 in funding for a breast milk delivery program at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti. The program, operated by Mama's Mobile Milk in coordination with the Michigan Department of Corrections, enables incarcerated mothers to pump and have their breast milk transported to their infants outside the facility. The funding covers construction of a lactation room, pumps, storage supplies, and staff coordination for deliveries, with participating women eligible to remain in the program for up to two years.

Michigan's 2023 affordable housing incentive law, spearheaded by Democrats and supported by Whitmer's administration, allows local governments to offer property tax breaks to developers in exchange for building affordable or attainable housing units. State and local officials have approved 14 projects utilizing the tax capture mechanism, which has generated an estimated $84 million in forgone tax revenue and is expected to create 586 affordable housing units across the state. The law permits developers to offset the financial impact of affordable units by renting or selling other units at market rates within the same development.

A state-sponsored report from the University of Michigan's Youth Policy Lab recommended that Michigan grant the governor greater authority over public education, including the ability to appoint members to the State Board of Education and to have a formal role in hiring the state superintendent. The report, which cost $500,000 and was based on analysis by economics professor Brian Jacob, found that the current governance structure distributes authority among multiple entities without clear central control. Whitmer did not respond to requests for comment, though state Superintendent Michael Rice stated that the report offered no significant new research or insight into improving student achievement.

Whitmer and fellow Democrats faced criticism from Michigan Senate Republicans following a Bridge Michigan investigation into declining state school test scores. Senate Republicans attributed the decline to Democratic repeal of two education laws in 2023—A-F school grades and a third-grade literacy test requirement—which some credited with improving outcomes in Mississippi. Democrats countered that the state's education challenges resulted from Republican efforts to depress funding during years of Republican legislative control.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation awarded a $20 million state grant to former board member Fay Beydoun in 2022 as an earmark in the state budget to launch an international business accelerator that did not exist at the time of the award. The grant became the subject of an embezzlement investigation by the Michigan Attorney General's office, leading to a raid on MEDC offices in 2024 for records connected to the funds. The MEDC canceled the grant in March 2025 after expenses were reported as unreasonable.

Whitmer stated that a planned semiconductor manufacturing plant by Sandisk Corp. near Flint, Michigan would not proceed, citing "massive economic uncertainty" resulting from tariff policies. The project was projected to create 9,400 jobs and 5,000 construction jobs and had been offered $1.925 billion in state cash grants, $250 million in workforce development funding, and approximately $3.76 billion in tax breaks. Whitmer attributed the company's decision to national economic conditions and threats of higher tariffs.

Whitmer released the "MI Healthy Climate Plan" in 2022, which included commitments to protect clean air and water in Michigan. The plan represented an effort to address environmental degradation in the Great Lakes region. Despite these stated goals, the article notes that the Great Lakes have continued to face significant pollution challenges, including phosphorus runoff from agricultural fertilizers that produces toxic algal blooms.

The Michigan House passed legislation requiring gun owners to keep weapons locked, unloaded, or stored in safes when minors under 18 could access them, with violations punishable by felony charges up to 15 years imprisonment and $7,500 in fines if a minor uses an improperly stored firearm to injure or kill someone. The safe storage bill was part of a broader package of gun reform measures that also included universal background check requirements and red flag laws allowing judges to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed to pose a risk. Governor Whitmer indicated support for the safe storage legislation, which was scheduled to return to the Michigan Senate for further review before proceeding to her desk.

Michigan faces potential loss of $93 million in federal grants for substance use disorder programs due to cuts at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, representing approximately 31 percent of the state's $300 million annual drug treatment and prevention budget. State health officials, including Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for Michigan, expressed concern that the federal reductions could undermine recent progress in combating the opioid epidemic, including programs distributing Naloxone and medically assisted treatment services. State officials are considering using funds from the opioid settlement to offset the anticipated federal cuts and maintain existing services.

Following a May 13 Michigan Court of Claims ruling in Northland Family Planning Center v. Nessel that struck down several state abortion restrictions, Governor Whitmer released a statement supporting the expansion of reproductive freedom. The court found that Michigan's uniform informed consent document requirements, mandatory 24-hour waiting period, and ban on advanced practice clinicians providing abortion care violated the state's Reproductive Freedom for All amendment. Whitmer's statement affirmed alignment with the court's decision to remove these restrictions on abortion access.

Whitmer publicly advocated for a semiconductor manufacturing facility to be built on a 1,180-acre industrial megasite southwest of Flint, stating at the Mackinac Policy Conference that Michigan should "land and start building a chip plant in Michigan by the end of next year." The state has invested at least $260 million in acquiring land for the megasite, with approximately 165 homes targeted for demolition to prepare the site. Potential interest from semiconductor manufacturer Sandisk has been indicated through state lobbyist registrations, though no deal has been finalized and local township approval would be required for project details.

Whitmer announced the official designation of the Livernois-West McNichols area in Detroit as a Michigan Main Street, a program providing economic development resources and support. The designation covers McNichols from Livernois to Wyoming and Livernois from Curtis to the Lodge Freeway, with the Live 6 Alliance receiving five years of hands-on expert support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The announcement was made alongside city leaders at local businesses in the neighborhood as part of ongoing revitalization efforts in northwest Detroit.

Whitmer signed House Bill 4345, legislation that exempts Northern Michigan school districts from making up missed instructional days when classes were cancelled due to an ice storm in late March 2025. The law applies to the 2024-25 school year and allows affected school districts located in one of twelve counties under a gubernatorial state of emergency declaration to end the school year without meeting the required 180 days of instruction, subject to local school board approval and a maximum forgiveness of fifteen days. The twelve covered counties are Crawford, Emmet, Otsego, Alcona, Antrim, Cheboygan, Montmorency, Oscoda, Mackinac, Presque Isle, Alpena, and Charlevoix.

A Michigan Supreme Court decision on October 5, 2020 declared unconstitutional the 1945 law that Whitmer had used to unilaterally extend emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including mask requirements and crowd restrictions. The 4-3 decision, with the majority composed of Republican-nominated justices and the dissent of Democratic-nominated justices, removed Whitmer's ability to issue unilateral emergency orders without additional legislative authorization. The ruling elevated the significance of two Michigan Supreme Court seats scheduled for election on November 3, 2020, as the ideological composition of the court hung in the balance.

Whitmer stated that President Trump told her approximately one month prior that he was considering pardoning Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox, two men convicted in 2022 of conspiracy in connection with a 2020 plot to kidnap her, and that she responded by telling Trump she believed pardoning them would be the wrong decision. Whitmer recounted that Trump replied he would not proceed with the pardons, though Trump later publicly stated he was reconsidering the matter and would examine it. Whitmer indicated she planned to engage in further dialogue with Trump regarding the potential pardons.

President Donald Trump stated in January 2025 that he would review the cases of Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., who were convicted in a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and destroy a bridge. Fox received a 16-year prison sentence and Croft received a sentence exceeding 19 years for their roles in the conspiracy. Trump's statement came after the U.S. Department of Justice pardon attorney indicated he would examine the cases for possible pardon consideration.

Amy Hovey, director and CEO of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority since January 2023, stated that tariffs and economic uncertainty are slowing housing development projects and increasing costs for the state's affordable housing efforts. Hovey indicated that fluctuations in tariff policy are causing builders to pause projects while reevaluating costs for materials such as lumber and aluminum, which can increase overall project expenses and threaten project completion. Governor Whitmer had established a goal for Michigan to build or rehabilitate 115,000 homes by September 2026, which Hovey said the state is continuing to pursue despite these economic headwinds.

Whitmer issued an expanded stay-at-home executive order in April 2020 that required stores larger than 50,000 square feet to close sections selling plants, gardening supplies, carpeting, flooring, furniture, and paint. The order created confusion among retailers and consumers about compliance, particularly regarding whether seed and plant sales qualified as essential business activities, prompting the governor's office to release an extensive FAQ addressing questions about permissible activities. Whitmer acknowledged gardeners' frustration during a news conference but stated that her immediate concern was keeping Michigan residents safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Michigan Gov. Whitmer issued a statement criticizing House-passed legislation that extends tax cuts and creates additional tax breaks while cutting spending on Medicaid and food assistance programs. Whitmer stated the plan would increase costs on the middle class and create budget shortfalls in Michigan, which relies on federal funding for healthcare and food assistance. The legislation, a priority of the Trump administration, still requires Senate approval before becoming law.

Michigan's Democratic-led Senate approved legislation on May 20, 2025, to extend the statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits. Under the bills, survivors would have until age 42 or seven years after becoming aware of injury to sue, with a one-year window for all survivors regardless of when abuse occurred, and damages capped at $1.5 million per defendant. The legislation requires approval from the House and signature by Governor Whitmer to become law.

The Michigan Senate Democrats approved fifteen spending bills on Tuesday as part of an $84.5 billion budget plan for the next fiscal year, including a transportation budget containing $3 billion in contingency funding for a potential road funding deal with Governor Whitmer. The budget represents approximately a 2 percent increase over the previous year's $83 billion budget that Whitmer signed. Senate Democrats called on the House to advance its own budget proposals as the two chambers work toward a statutory July deadline to pass the state budget.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Friday directing his administration to streamline permitting and environmental reviews for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project in Illinois, a series of barriers designed to prevent invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes. The memo also set deadlines for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to acquire necessary land by July 1 and for local permits to be granted within 30 days to facilitate Army Corps construction. Governor Whitmer, who had met with Trump in April to raise the issue, stated in response that the action was a "huge win" for Michigan.

The Michigan Senate passed legislation requiring public school districts and academies to adopt policies that seek to limit cellphone use by students during class hours, with the bill receiving a 28-9 vote approval. The Senate proposal allows individual school districts to determine the extent of restrictions rather than mandating a total ban, and includes exemptions for emergency situations, medically necessary devices, and accommodations for students with disabilities. Governor Whitmer had previously indicated support for Michigan joining at least 18 other states with school cellphone laws, though a separate House proposal advancing concurrently includes more stringent requirements for phone bans during specific times of the school day.

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Michigan along with Hawaii, New York, and Vermont, challenging state climate actions that the DOJ characterized as conflicting with federal authority and energy policy. Michigan's lawsuit, filed alongside Hawaii's on Wednesday, targeted fossil fuel companies for alleged harms caused by climate change. The DOJ argued that the state climate initiatives undermine federal regulatory authority under the Clean Air Act and obstruct EPA discretion to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Whitmer announced alongside President Trump that Selfridge Air National Guard Base will receive 20 F-15EX fighter jets, replacing the base's A-10 fighter fleet that was scheduled for retirement. The announcement ended uncertainty about the base's future and is projected to prevent the loss of approximately $30 million in wages. The F-15EX jets are scheduled to arrive at the base in fiscal year 2028, with a one-to-two-year transition and reclassification process for personnel.

Trump announced the assignment of a new fighter jet mission to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan during a visit on April 29, 2025. Whitmer had identified securing a new mission for the base as a priority objective. The announcement addressed concerns about potential base closure and represented the outcome Whitmer had sought through engagement with the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump announced on April 29, 2025, that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Michigan, will receive 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighters to replace a retiring fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. Governor Gretchen Whitmer attended the announcement after meeting with Trump earlier in the month to advocate for the new fighter mission, which would preserve the base's estimated $850 million economic impact and approximately 5,000 military and civilian jobs. Trump stated that he came "in person to lay to rest any doubts" about the base's future, and Whitmer indicated her attendance was to support the military personnel and acknowledge the longstanding effort to secure the jets.

Since taking office in 2019, Whitmer has distributed $995 million in corporate subsidies through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to 102 companies. These subsidies have resulted in the creation of 13,079 jobs at a cost of $76,076 per job, substantially below the 65,491 jobs that were promised when incentives were initially awarded to 340 companies. Additionally, 54 projects funded through state incentive programs have not yet created any jobs according to the most recent state reports.

Michigan's Democratic-led Senate passed legislation on April 24, 2025, to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would have authority to cap prescription drug prices if the board determined costs were preventing patients from receiving necessary treatment. The five-member board would be appointed by the governor and supported by a 21-member council of stakeholders, with authority to set price limits that private insurers and Medicaid would be required to follow. The legislation advanced with support from Democrats and one Republican but faces an uncertain path in the Republican-controlled House.

Whitmer appointed Judge Noah Hood to the Michigan Supreme Court to fill a partial term following the resignation of Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement. Whitmer also appointed Judge Mariam Bazzi to the Michigan Court of Appeals First District, Christopher Trebilcock to the Court of Appeals Second District, and Daniel Korobkin to the Court of Appeals Third District. Hood, who previously served on the Michigan Court of Appeals, holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and has served on the Michigan bench since 2019.

Whitmer signed a revised executive order on May 21, 2020, that expanded allowable activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including gatherings of 10 people or fewer, retail shopping by appointment beginning May 26, and non-essential medical, dental, and veterinary services beginning May 29. The order required businesses reopening under the new guidelines to provide employee training on COVID-19 and sanitation practices and maintain social distancing measures. Whitmer stated that regional data indicated Michigan was ready to take this expansion step while urging residents to continue protective measures to avoid a second wave of infections.

Governor Whitmer issued an executive directive on April 17, 2025, ordering the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an impact study on potential federal Medicaid cuts included in a proposed U.S. House Republican budget plan that would reduce Medicaid funding by $880 billion. The directive was signed at Corewell Health's Royal Oak campus, where Whitmer stated her position on the proposed cuts. The analysis is intended to assess how the reductions would affect healthcare access for Michigan's 2.6 million Medicaid beneficiaries.

Whitmer traveled to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday and met with President Trump in the Oval Office to discuss the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan. During the meeting, Trump stated that his administration was working to keep the base open and thriving, and indicated that securing an additional fighter mission at the facility was a real possibility, mentioning F-16s and F-35s as potential options. Whitmer and Michigan Speaker Hall pressed Trump on the importance of obtaining another mission for the base given its significance to Michigan's economy and security.

Whitmer signed an executive directive at Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills to boost training and college enrollment for young men. Following the signing, Whitmer discussed tariff policy, stating that manufacturing tariffs continue to affect Michigan's economy despite the president's 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, and that tariffs on auto parts remain in place. Whitmer's comments followed a visit to the Oval Office where she advocated for Michigan's interests including support for ice storm victims, action on Asian carp in the Great Lakes, and placement of new aircraft at Selfridge Air National Guard.

Whitmer met with President Trump at an Oval Office event on Wednesday to discuss bipartisan priorities for Michigan, including efforts to combat invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes and expand operations at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. Trump stated his willingness to work with Whitmer on both issues, saying the administration would coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Asian carp control and would move forward with improvements at Selfridge. The meeting followed Whitmer's Washington speech in which she criticized the administration's tariff policies while expressing agreement with the goal of revitalizing American manufacturing capacity.

Whitmer delivered remarks in Washington on April 9, 2025, titled "Build America Build," outlining a bipartisan approach to grow manufacturing and the economy. She highlighted her administration's October 2023 investment of $40 million in Wilder Road infrastructure near Saginaw to support Vantage Plastics' factory expansion and creation of 93 jobs. Whitmer addressed the impact of recently implemented tariffs on Michigan, stating that a one-size-fits-all tariff approach could undermine domestic manufacturing growth and advocating instead for strategic tariffs on resources the United States can produce domestically.

Whitmer declared a state of emergency for 10 counties in northern Michigan following a severe ice storm that caused widespread damage to infrastructure and left approximately 100,000 residents without power. The declaration enabled the mobilization of the National Guard and coordination of emergency response efforts across the affected region. State officials estimated that infrastructure rebuilding would cost millions of dollars, though the full damage assessment remained incomplete as recovery efforts continued.

Whitmer signed legislation in December 2024 that expanded Michigan's unemployment insurance benefits, with the changes taking effect on April 2, 2025. The law extended the maximum duration of benefit collection from 20 weeks to 26 weeks and increased the maximum weekly benefit amount in phases, rising from $362 to $446 in 2025, $530 in 2026, and $614 in 2027. The legislation also increased the amount per dependent from $6 to $12.66 in 2025, with further increases in subsequent years, marking the first increase to the maximum weekly benefit since 2002.

Whitmer entered into a separation agreement with former health department director Robert Gordon in February 2021 that provided him $155,506 in severance pay and included a confidentiality clause prohibiting him from discussing the circumstances of his departure. Gordon had announced his resignation in January 2021, one month before signing the agreement, which the administration stated was designed to protect deliberations among government officials. The Michigan GOP announced an investigation into the arrangement, and similar confidentiality agreements were subsequently revealed involving other state officials who had departed from Whitmer's administration.

Whitmer signed legislation in December 2024 that expanded Michigan's unemployment insurance benefits, with the changes taking effect on April 2, 2025. The law extended the maximum weeks for collecting benefits from 20 to 26 weeks and increased the maximum weekly benefit amount from $362 to $446 in 2025, with further increases scheduled for 2026 and 2027, along with increased dependent allowances. The legislation established January 1, 2025, as the effective date for residents to begin receiving the increased benefits, though implementation required waiting for the Legislature's delayed approval.

Whitmer's administration authorized the transfer of $120 million in state incentives from General Motors to LG Energy Solution on March 25, 2025, enabling LG Energy Solution to complete its purchase of a 2.8 million square foot battery factory near Lansing that was originally built by GM. The decoupling of the original $600 million subsidy deal allowed the two companies to maintain separate ownership while remaining obligated to collectively create 3,200 new jobs, with GM responsible for hiring 1,840 workers at its Orion Assembly plant and LG Energy Solution committing to 1,360 positions at the former Ultium facility. Both companies stated they would fulfill their hiring commitments despite project delays that had already extended into 2025 and beyond.

The Citizens Research Council of Michigan released a report arguing that the state's road funding system, governed by Public Act 51 from 1951, requires significant reform to address rising repair costs and declining road conditions. The report recommends repealing the 75-year-old law and replacing it with new legislation that allocates funds based on modern transportation needs, while also suggesting changes to permitting processes for mining road materials and allowing local governments greater flexibility in repairing state roads. The analysis comes as negotiations continue between state House Republicans and Governor Whitmer regarding proposals to address Michigan's road infrastructure funding.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy released a report stating that the state's landfills are on track to reach capacity within 21 years at current disposal rates. The report identified Michigan's significantly lower tipping fees compared to neighboring states as a contributing factor, with Michigan charging 36 cents per ton while the Midwest average is $5.30 per ton. The state indicated it is pursuing an increase to the trash tipping fee as a measure to reduce the volume of imported waste from other states and Canada.

Whitmer led a weeklong trade mission to the United Kingdom and Ireland to strengthen economic relationships and attract investment to Michigan. The trip included meetings with government officials and industry stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities and reinforce diplomatic connections, with Whitmer accompanied by officials from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Natural Resources. During the mission, Michigan leaders visited existing companies operating in the state and held roundtables with aerospace, enterprise development, and business chamber organizations to showcase Michigan's economic advantages.

Whitmer issued a stay-at-home executive order that took effect on March 24, 2020, requiring all but "essential" workers to remain home during the coronavirus pandemic. The order contained numerous exemptions and broad definitions of critical infrastructure and minimum basic operations, creating confusion among workers, employers, and local law enforcement about which businesses and workers fell under the mandate. Police leaders stated they would not enforce the order or make determinations about which personnel qualified as essential.

Whitmer issued an executive order on July 10, 2020 requiring Michigan businesses to refuse entry to customers not wearing face masks, effective immediately for individuals and Monday for businesses. The order also mandated face mask use outdoors when individuals could not maintain six feet of distance from others, and authorized the state to temporarily shut down businesses that failed to enforce the requirement. Individuals and businesses that deliberately violated the mask order faced misdemeanor charges and fines up to $500.

Whitmer responded to House Republicans' $3.1 billion road funding plan, which redirects gas tax revenue from the general fund to road infrastructure. She stated that while the plan addresses a longstanding issue, it creates budget problems by reducing funding available for schools and other state services. Whitmer indicated she would work with the state Senate to develop an alternative approach that balances road funding with other budget priorities.

Governor Whitmer introduced a $3 billion road funding plan in February 2025 that replaces the sales tax at the pump with a gas tax dedicated to road and transportation infrastructure, while raising new revenue from large corporations, Big Tech, and the marijuana industry. The Republican-led Michigan House passed a competing $3.14 billion road funding package in March 2025 consisting of House Bills 4180, 4187, and 4230, which replaces the sales tax at the pump with a fuel tax and allocates $2.2 billion in corporate income tax revenues for roads. Whitmer's office stated that while encouraged by legislative prioritization of roads, the House legislation did not achieve the goal of a sustainable, long-term road funding solution with appropriate materials and methodology.

Whitmer responded to the U.S. Department of Education's decision to reduce its workforce by approximately 50 percent by questioning the rationale behind the cuts and stating that there are alternative approaches to improving educational outcomes without substantially weakening the department. Whitmer characterized the reduction as potentially crippling to the department's ability to serve its educational mission. Her comments came as Michigan school districts began assessing the potential impact of the federal workforce reduction on state education funding and programs.

Whitmer designated May as "Professional Trades Month" in Michigan, announced officially on May 8, 2024, to highlight career opportunities in skilled trades. According to Whitmer's announcement, Michigan has more than 520,000 trade jobs with approximately 45,500 yearly openings projected through 2030. The annual observance aims to encourage students and adults to pursue careers in professional trades across sectors including construction, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and information technology.

The Michigan House passed bipartisan legislation in a 80-28 vote that would prohibit state lawmakers and their staff from signing nondisclosure agreements regarding work performed in their legislative capacity, with a companion bill defining such agreements passing 91-17. The legislation addresses a situation in which at least 44 lawmakers have signed confidentiality agreements since 2021 to access information about potential economic development projects seeking corporate subsidies. Governor Whitmer has previously defended nondisclosure agreements as necessary to protect proprietary information and maintain Michigan's competitiveness in securing economic development deals, and it remains unclear whether she would sign the bills if they pass the state Senate.

Whitmer signed two bills into law on February 21, 2025, that modified Michigan's minimum wage and tipped wage structures. The legislation accelerated the state's minimum wage to reach $15 per hour by January 1, 2027, while halting the phase-out of the subminimum wage for tipped workers at 50 percent of the minimum wage, scheduled to be fully implemented by January 1, 2031. The bills also established an automatic annual adjustment mechanism for the minimum wage based on the Consumer Price Index for the Midwest region, beginning in October 2027.

On February 21, 2025, Whitmer signed two bills into law that modified Michigan's minimum wage, tipped wage, and sick time provisions. The legislation accelerated the timeline for the state minimum wage to reach $15 an hour, with the increase scheduled for January 1, 2027, rather than a later date. The bills also halted the phase-out of the subminimum wage at 50 percent, maintaining the tip credit at 38 percent and increasing it by 2 percent annually through January 1, 2031.

Michigan Governor Whitmer signed minimum wage and paid sick leave bills into law on February 21, 2025, following a bipartisan legislative agreement reached the previous night. The bills amended minimum wage and paid leave laws that were set to take effect due to a Michigan Supreme Court ruling from the previous summer. Whitmer stated in a news release that the compromise was made possible by Republicans and Democrats working together to forge a fair, bipartisan deal.

On Friday, Whitmer signed legislation that preserved Michigan's tipping system while raising the state minimum wage. The bill represented a compromise after years of debate over whether to eliminate the lower tipped wage, which had been proposed in 2018 as part of a minimum wage increase. Restaurant owners and tipped workers expressed support for the measure, while advocacy groups opposed to tipped wage systems indicated plans to seek its reversal through a signature collection campaign.

Whitmer signed two bills on February 21, 2025, that amend Michigan's minimum wage, tipped wage, and sick time laws, with the changes taking effect immediately and retroactively. The legislation modifies the minimum wage increase schedule, caps the subminimum wage phase-out at 50 percent, and revises the state's sick leave provisions. The bills were passed by Michigan lawmakers on February 20 and 21, 2025, in response to a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that the Legislature's 2018 amendments to citizen-initiated wage and sick time proposals were unconstitutional.

Whitmer signed two bills on February 21, 2025, that amend Michigan's minimum wage, tipped wage, and sick time laws. The bills took effect immediately and are retroactive, modifying the minimum wage increase schedule, capping the subminimum wage phase-out at 50%, and making changes to the state's sick leave law. The legislation was passed by the Michigan Legislature on Thursday and Friday of that week.

Michigan lawmakers passed two linked bills modifying the state's minimum wage and paid sick leave requirements, which awaited Governor Whitmer's signature as of February 21, 2025. The paid sick leave bill defines small businesses as those with ten or fewer employees and requires them to provide 40 hours of paid sick time annually, with implementation required by October 1, 2025, while other employers must provide 72 hours. Senate Bill 8 establishes the tipped minimum wage at 38 percent of the standard minimum wage for 2025, rising annually to reach 50 percent by 2031, while the standard minimum wage increases to $12.48 per hour on February 21 and is scheduled to reach $15 per hour by 2027.

This article examines claims made during Michigan's 2018 gubernatorial Democratic primary regarding Whitmer's position on assault weapons bans. Whitmer's campaign website outlined seven steps to deter school shootings, including banning bump stocks and increasing school safety resources, but did not explicitly mention an assault weapons ban. Whitmer had previously spoken in favor of banning assault weapons and appeared as a featured speaker at the Lansing March for Our Lives rally.

Whitmer proposed the "MI Road Ahead" plan, a $3 billion initiative to increase funding for road and bridge repairs across Michigan. The plan would raise $1.7 billion in additional revenue through new taxes on corporations and technology companies, eliminate the marijuana industry's wholesale tax exemption to generate $470 million, redirect gas tax revenues currently diverted to other purposes, and achieve $500 million through unspecified cost reductions. The remaining funding would come from existing gas tax revenues, with over $1 billion allocated specifically to local community road repairs.

Whitmer introduced a $3 billion road repair funding plan that included a proposed increase to Michigan's marijuana excise tax from 10 percent to 32 percent, projected to generate approximately $470 million in revenue. The tax increase drew criticism from cannabis industry operators who argued the higher rate would make businesses unviable and force price increases for consumers. Whitmer's spokeswoman stated that the proposal remained subject to negotiation with the legislature and that nothing had been finalized.

Whitmer signed legislation establishing a red flag law in Michigan that took effect on February 13, 2024, allowing police, health professionals, family members, and roommates to petition courts to temporarily remove gun possession rights from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. During 2024, the first full year of implementation, Michigan courts processed 391 complaints under the law, resulting in 287 no-gun orders that barred individuals from possessing firearms for one-year periods. The law was part of a broader gun safety package passed by the Democratic-controlled Michigan Legislature in response to a shooting at Michigan State University that killed three students and injured five others.

Whitmer proposed the "MI Road Ahead" plan, a $3 billion initiative to increase funding for road and bridge repairs in Michigan. The proposal includes raising $1.7 billion in additional revenue through new taxes on corporations and technology companies, eliminating the marijuana industry's wholesale tax exemption to generate $470 million, redirecting gas tax revenue currently diverted to other purposes, and implementing unspecified cost cuts to contribute $500 million toward repairs. The plan allocates over $1 billion to fix roads in local communities and $250 million to local bus service and transit infrastructure.

Whitmer announced a $3 billion plan to fund Michigan road and bridge repairs, proposing increased corporate and marijuana taxes as revenue sources. The plan includes raising approximately $1.7 billion annually through higher corporate taxes targeted at large businesses, increasing the marijuana wholesale tax by 32 percentage points to match tobacco tax rates, and dedicating all fuel pump taxes to road infrastructure. The proposal requires approval from the Michigan Legislature, where negotiations over the specific implementation of corporate tax increases are expected.

Whitmer introduced a budget proposal for the 2025-26 school year that would require elementary schools to notify parents in writing if their schools are using curricula that are not evidence-based, along with a plan for implementing more effective instructional practices. The proposal also mandates that parents be notified if their children's schools fall in the bottom 5 percent academically statewide or if specific student subgroups perform near the bottom of academic rankings, with districts required to provide improvement plans. Additionally, the budget proposal includes increased state per-pupil funding for schools and enhanced funding for early childhood programs, at-risk students, and career and technical education.

Whitmer announced expansion projects by two Michigan companies that would create 70 jobs across the state, with 55 positions coming to St. Clair County through Flash Steelworks' expansion into armor plate production for the U.S. Army. Flash Steelworks received a $750,000 grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund to support the expansion, which is expected to generate approximately $9 million in capital investment with an average wage of $32.82 per position. Aster Brands, a steel forming systems manufacturer, announced it would relocate its headquarters to Little Traverse Township in Emmet County, bringing 15 new jobs to that region.

Whitmer presented her seventh executive budget recommendation to the Michigan House and Senate appropriations committees on February 5, 2025, totaling $83.5 billion with a general fund of $15.3 billion and school aid budget of $21.2 billion. The budget proposal includes a 4.1% increase in base per pupil funding, $676 million for universal pre-K, $200 million for free school meals, $4.9 billion for roads, and $58.4 million for Going Pro job training grants. Approximately 42% of the budget relies on federal funding, which state officials noted remains uncertain due to the Trump administration's emphasis on reducing federal spending.

Whitmer presented her 2025 and 2026 budget recommendations to the Michigan state legislature through her staff during a joint House and Senate Appropriations meeting. The budget recommendation totals $83.5 billion, including a general fund of $15.3 billion and a school aid budget of $21.2 billion, with proposed deposits of $50 million each to the Budget Stabilization Fund and the school rainy day fund. The recommendations include funding for programs such as the Working Families Tax Credit, universal pre-K through the Great Start Readiness Program, and free school meals.

Michigan lawmakers advanced legislation to expand the state's Freedom of Information Act by subjecting the governor's office and Legislature to public records requests, with the Democratic-controlled Senate approving the plan in a 33-2 vote. The Republican-led House unanimously adopted separate rules requiring lawmakers to publicly identify which budget earmarks they sponsor prior to votes. The FOIA expansion legislation now advances to the House, where its ultimate passage to Governor Whitmer's desk remains uncertain.

Whitmer announced support for housing development projects across Michigan that will create more than 850 new residential units in Pontiac, Lansing, and Detroit. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $79.2 million Transformational Brownfield Plan for Pontiac to fund three mixed-use buildings including The Exchange Flats, El Centro, and Tech and Arts, with 60 units designated as affordable housing at 80 percent of the county's area median income. The projects are expected to generate more than 700 jobs and attract over $65 million in private investment to the three cities.

Whitmer signed 16 bills into law on January 21 that expanded reproductive rights in Michigan. House Bills 5435 and 5436, among the package, authorized pharmacists to prescribe and dispense birth control and required insurance providers to cover contraceptives. The bills were signed one day after President Donald Trump's inauguration and addressed access to reproductive healthcare in response to a shortage of obstetrician and gynecologist offices in the state.

Whitmer announced support for projects that will create more than 700 jobs in the Metro Detroit area across healthcare and mobility industries. Pulse Primary Care will establish its headquarters in Livonia with a $3.45 million Michigan Business Development Program grant, creating 579 jobs with wages ranging from $24 to $55 per hour plus benefits and a $10.5 million capital investment. Piston Automotive, a subsidiary of Piston Group LLC, will create hydrogen fuel cells at a Detroit facility with a $1.5 million grant, generating 144 additional jobs in the region.

Whitmer announced that a 100-year-old blighted building located at 9301 Oakland Avenue in Detroit's North End will be redeveloped into 10 residential units and 5,200 square feet of commercial space through funding from the Revitalization and Placemaking program and other local and state sources totaling over $3.2 million in capital investment. The project, undertaken by developer Stafford House, Inc., incorporates $507,713 in state funding alongside contributions from the city of Detroit, Wayne County, and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Whitmer also announced a separate revitalization project in Alma involving a historic building at 311 E. Superior Street that will receive $1,162,000 in Revitalization and Placemaking grants for conversion into residential units and commercial space.

Whitmer signed a 16-bill package expanding reproductive rights in Michigan on January 26, 2025. The package included House Bills 5435 and 5436, which authorize pharmacists to prescribe birth control and require insurers to cover contraceptive costs, and House Bill 5636, which establishes licensure for freestanding birth centers providing midwifery and reproductive health care. The legislation was designed to address access barriers in a state where one-third of counties lack OB/GYN providers.

Whitmer signed three bills designed to enhance school safety and reduce gun violence in Michigan. The legislation requires all schools to establish behavioral threat assessment teams to identify and intervene with students or staff posing dangers to themselves or others, mandates standardized language across school districts for law enforcement emergency response coordination, and directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to develop safe storage information for distribution to families. Additionally, the bills require that firearms collected through the Michigan State Police buyback program be destroyed rather than stripped for parts to be resold.

Whitmer signed a 16-bill package on January 22, 2025, that expands reproductive health access in Michigan. House Bills 5435 and 5436 authorize pharmacists to prescribe birth control and require insurers to cover contraceptive costs, addressing a shortage of OB/GYNs in the state where one-third of Michigan's 83 counties lack such providers. House Bill 5636, also included in the package, establishes licensure for freestanding birth centers that provide midwifery care and reproductive health services.

President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on federal spending from climate programs including the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure law that had directed billions of dollars to Michigan projects. Governor Whitmer's office announced it was reviewing the impacts of the funding pause on the state's electric vehicle charging infrastructure and other energy initiatives. Michigan had been allocated $110 million through 2026 for EV charging station expansion under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, with the state having spent only $2.2 million of that amount as of the pause announcement.

Whitmer signed legislation on Wednesday requiring Michigan State Police to destroy all components of firearms collected during community buyback programs. The law codifies a policy change announced by state police in March 2024, after the agency acknowledged that its previous disposal method had only destroyed gun frames and receivers while a private company recycled and sold the remaining parts. State police handled more than 11,000 guns through buyback programs in 2023.

The Michigan GOP-led House proposed legislation to modify pending wage and paid leave rules set to take effect in February 2025 following a Michigan Supreme Court ruling. The House plan would increase the minimum wage to $12 an hour in 2025, reaching $15 by 2029, while preserving the tipped credit at 38% of the standard minimum wage and reducing the minor wage requirement to 75% of minimum wage. The legislation would need to reach Governor Whitmer's desk before February 21, 2025, when the court-ordered rules become law, with Senate Democrats presenting an alternative proposal that suggests negotiations are likely.

Whitmer signed the Research and Development Tax Credit bill and the Michigan Innovation Fund bill, two bipartisan pieces of legislation designed to support business activity in Michigan. The R&D Tax Credit provides financial incentives for research and development activities, offering up to $2,000,000 in credits for companies with 250 or more employees and up to $250,000 for smaller businesses. The Michigan Innovation Fund allocates $60 million to support start-up businesses and encourage reinvestment in the state's economy.

Michigan's Department of Treasury and fiscal agencies projected the state will collect $33.18 billion in tax revenue for the current fiscal year and $34.37 billion for the next fiscal year, representing increases of $770.4 million and $910.2 million respectively from previous estimates. The revised projections provide Whitmer and state legislative leaders with additional funds to allocate during the upcoming budget cycle. Whitmer stated in response that Michigan's economy is moving in a positive direction and indicated the administration would continue tax relief efforts for seniors and working families.

Governor Whitmer requested a federal disaster declaration for Michigan's cherry industry in response to significant crop losses caused by volatile weather conditions. The Department of Agriculture approved Whitmer's request for emergency assistance to cover crop losses through the federal disaster declaration. The declaration came after an unusually mild winter followed by a warm, wet spring resulted in approximately 75 percent of the state's sweet cherry crop being lost due to fungal diseases and pests.

Michigan's minimum wage increased to $12.48 per hour and the tipped wage to $4.01 per hour, effective February 21, 2025, following a 2024 court ruling, with scheduled increases to $14.97 by 2028 and gradual phase-out of the lower tipped rate. New paid sick time requirements took effect the same date, mandating businesses with more than 10 employees provide up to 72 hours of paid sick leave annually, while smaller firms must provide 40 hours paid and 32 hours unpaid leave. Expanded unemployment benefits also took effect April 1, 2025, extending eligibility from 20 to 26 weeks and increasing the weekly maximum benefit from $362 to $446, with further increases scheduled through 2027.