LANSING, MI –– Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State address on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Whitmer’s speech in the Michigan State Capitol Building revolved around cutting costs, creating jobs and making the government work better for its constituents.

To read in-depth coverage of Whitmer’s entire speech, click on the link below.

MORE: At State of the State, Whitmer says Michigan can ‘lead by example’ amid challenges

Seven down

“Seven down, one to go,” Whitmer said, beginning her speech.

Whitmer, Michigan’s governor since 2019, has less than two years left in office and is ineligible to run again as she has met her term limit.

In her seventh speech, she put Michigan in the national spotlight, calling on Michiganders to “lead by example.”

“Our state represents America in every way,” Whitmer said. “Economically, geographically, politically and socially.”

Whitmer summed up the challenges Michigan is facing into two main points: economic uncertainty and political division.

Whitmer also called on cellphone limits in school and taxes on vapes.

Tariffs, Trump and partisanship

Whitmer, who recently made a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Donald Trump and discuss tariffs, expressed an interest in finding common ground.

“I took an oath to serve the people of Michigan and that means all the people in Michigan. That’s my commitment to you, no matter who is in the White House or on the other side of the aisle in Lansing,“ Whitmer said. ”Yes, I do hope to find common ground with President Trump and work with the Democratic-led Senate and Republican-led House on our shared priorities. I’m not looking for fights, but I won’t back down from them either.”

Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico would be a “disaster,” Whitmer said. Those tariffs are slated to take effect next week.

“I’m not opposed to tariffs outright, but they’re a blunt tool when the Michigan economy is on the line,” Whitmer said. “Twenty-five percent tariffs on everything would slow down construction, shutter small businesses, lead to layoffs in the auto industry and cost Michigan families an extra $1,200 a year at the store and the pump because companies will pass their higher costs on to you.”

Whitmer likened partisanship to an infection. She attacked social media algorithms for its role in it.

“Their divisive rhetoric is amplified by algorithms designed to make us angry and keep us scrolling,” Whitmer said. “We’re all being manipulated by the largest and most powerful companies in the world who profit more when we start to believe that we have nothing in common. But that’s just not true,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer said she believes Michiganders are not as divided as the politics that surround them.

“Ultimately the ‘state of the state’ isn’t about lines on a chart or metrics on a spreadsheet,” Whitmer said. “It’s about how people feel and think about Michigan.”

House speaker Matt Hall, road funding

Newly-elected House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland, attended a media scrum after Whitmer’s speech.

During the scrum, Hall touched on his hope to work with Whitmer on a plan for roads.

“There are two roads plans out there,” Hall said. “There’s Governor Whitmer’s roads plan to raise taxes, and then there’s my roads plan, which shows how we can get it done without raising taxes if we prioritize roads over corporations.”

Former Sen. Debbie Stabenow

During the acknowledgements at the beginning of Whitmer’s speech, she asked “leader and legend,” former Sen. Debbie Stabenow, to stand.

Stabenow was Michigan’s first woman U.S. Senator and dedicated her life to service in Ingham County and across Michigan.

“You fought for farmers, you protected our Great Lakes, you championed equal coverage for mental health,” Whitmer said. “You are an incredible trailblazer who has made a real difference in people’s lives in Michigan.”

In honor of Stabenow’s lifetime of service, Whitmer announced that Constitution Hall is being renamed to the Debbie A. Stabenow Building.

During a standing ovation, Stabenow was overcome with emotion.

“It’s fitting that the building houses our state’s agriculture and environmental departments that carry on your life’s work,” Whitmer said.

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