Report card: Gretchen Whitmer’s 48 promises during State of State speeches

• Bridge Michigan reviewed 48 promises or proposals Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made in her State of the State Address
• Whitmer has implemented 26 of her 48 proposals, made progress on others but failed on 10
• The governor will deliver her seventh annual State of the State Address on Feb. 26

LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will unveil her new budget proposal Wednesday ahead of her Feb. 26 State of the State Address, giving the second-term Democrat more opportunities to put forward promises or proposals for the upcoming year.

Ahead of those events, Bridge Michigan analyzed Whitmer's prior six State of the State speeches to see how often she has followed through — or persuaded the Legislature to do so. 

Our findings: Whitmer has successfully implemented 26 of the 48 promises and proposals she made in her past addresses, a slim majority. She's made progress on six other fronts, but has failed on ten. 

See each promise, proposal and pledge below:

CARS AND DRIVING

1. 2022 EV rebate: “I am proposing a combined $2,500 electric vehicle rebate for families-$2,000 for the car and $500 for in-home charging equipment. This will build on the $7,500 federal electric vehicle credit. If we get this done, we can lower the cost of electric vehicles by nearly $10,000. We can make it easier for Michiganders to go electric.”

Successful? No, the plan died in the Legislature

2. 2024 Michigan vehicle rebate: "a plan to lower the cost of buying a new car with a $1,000 rebate off any car and $2,000 for electric vehicles. If it was assembled by a union, you get an extra $500 bucks—that’s up to $2,500 off. The MI Vehicle Rebate would be offered at the point of sale—so you save money as you walk out of the dealership....With the MI Vehicle Rebate we can lower costs and support the ongoing transition to an all-electric, union-made future."

Successful? No, the plan died in the Legislature

3. 2019 Distracted driving: "It’s time for Michigan to join the 16 states that have passed hands-free laws to keep our roads and our kids safe. So let’s make it happen."

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in 2023

Related:

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• 100 promises Donald Trump made to Michigan

CIVIL RIGHTS

4. 2019 LGBT rights: "If we want Michigan to be a home for opportunity . . . it should be opportunity for all, in all workplaces. We need to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for our LGBT community."

5. 2023 LGBT rights: “Let’s expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act so you can’t be fired or evicted against because of who you are or how you identify.”

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in 2023, when Democrats took full control of the Legislature

6. 2023 Marriage Equality: “Let’s repeal outdated laws restricting who you can marry.”

Successful? No, despite Democrats controlling Lansing for all of 2023 and 2024, Michigan’s gay marriage ban remains on the books through both state statute and the state constitution. The ban is unenforceable, however, because of a 2015 US Supreme Court ruling.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

7. 2024 HIRE MI: “Let’s start the HIRE Michigan Fund to lower overall payroll taxes for these firms. The value here is simple: the more you hire in Michigan, the more you should save in Michigan. We had a similar, bipartisan program years ago that worked well. So, let’s bring it back—because everyone loves a throwback.”

Successful? No, the plan died in the Legislature. Whitmer is calling for it again in 2025.

8. 2022 Federal stimulus approval: “I'll also work to invest federal resources we have received with plans I released last year like MI New Economy, which would grow the middle class, support small businesses, and invest in our communities.”

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed budgets spending extra federal resources that had been sent to the state in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

9. 2024 R&D tax credit: “An R&D tax credit will unleash innovation while lowering costs for businesses. Let’s get it done.”

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in January

10. 2024 Renaissance Zones: “Renaissance Zones are strategically selected areas with lower taxes for businesses and entrepreneurs so we can drive investment and create local jobs. We already have several of these statewide, but there are strict categories that define eligible projects within them. Let’s simplify these into a single, flexible category to incentivize growth. “

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in May. 

11. 2024 Innovation fund: “Let’s establish an Innovation Fund to invest in high-growth startups that will create the future, right here in Michigan. Right now, we have no state-level mechanism to attract and retain promising young companies. With the new Innovation Fund, we can launch hundreds of new Michigan-based startups and create thousands of jobs.”

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in January. 

EDUCATION

12. 2019 Community college for all: "The MI Opportunity Scholarship, will guarantee two years of debt-free community college for all graduating high school students who qualify. The scholarship will be officially launched this spring and available to students in the fall of 2020. And it will make Michigan the first Midwestern state to guarantee community college for all

Successful? Partially. See No. 14 for more information.

13. 2019 MI Opportunity scholarship: "The MI Opportunity Scholarship will provide two years of tuition assistance at a four-year, not-for-profit college or university for students who graduate from a Michigan high school with at least a B average."

Successful? Partially. See No. 14 for more information.

14. 2024 Community college for all: “In our next budget, let's make the first two years of community college in Michigan tuition-free for every high school graduate.”

Successful? Partially. It took a couple years, but Whitmer in 2022 signed legislation to create the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Lawmakers expanded it last year to guarantee two years of tuition-free community college for students who live in a community college district.  That means most, but not all, high school graduates. 

15. 2023 Learning recovery: “ Let’s fund MI Kids Back on Track, to offer every child personalized learning support to get them back on track for long-term success...Investing in tutoring, after-school programs, and other learning supports gets children 1-on-1 time with a caring, qualified educator that they need to succeed...Let’s fund MI Kids Back on Track before spring break.

Successful? Yes, the plan was included in the 2023 budget Whitmer signed into law. 

16. 2024 Universal pre-k: “In our next budget, let’s deliver pre-K for every single 4-year-old in Michigan, two years ahead of schedule.”

Successful? Partially. The state budget Whitmer signed last year included funding for most families but did not completely eliminate income caps. 

17. 2019 More degrees, certificates: "I am announcing a new statewide goal of increasing the number of Michiganders between the ages of 16 and 64 with a post-secondary credential to 60% by 2030."

Successful? To be determined, as the goal extends to 2030

ENVIRONMENT

18. 2019 Paris Climate goals: "I also joined Michigan in the U.S. Climate Alliance, with a bipartisan coalition of governors from 20 other states that have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement."

Successful? To be determined. Whitmer in 2019 signed an executive directive pledging to continue to pursue climate goals established in the Paris Agreement and in 2023 signed bills aiming to make Michigan achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

19. 2023 Climate: “We must pursue climate action while creating jobs, lowering costs, and becoming a hub of clean energy production. Last year, we unveiled the MI Healthy Climate Plan, and this year, we should make bold investments in climate action to deliver on its targets. Let’s get it done.”

Successful? Yes, but Michigan still has a long way to go if it’s going to meet the goal of 100% clean energy by 2040. 

GUN REFORMS

20. 2023 Gun background checks: “Let’s enact universal background checks for people who want to buy firearms.”

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in 2023

21. 2023 Gun safe storage: “Let’s enact safe storage laws so we can make sure firearms are stored safely at home.”

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in 2023

22. 2023 Red-flag gun law: “Let’s enact extreme risk protection orders, so we can keep guns out of the hands of those who might represent a danger to themselves or others. If Florida and Indiana can get this done, we sure can, right?”

Success? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in 2023

GOVERNMENT REFORM

23. 2019 Public records: "For too long, our government has been plagued by a lack of transparency. We have consistently ranked the worst in the country. We have the power to fix that: let’s expand FOIA to my office and to the Legislature."

Successful? No. Plans died in the Legislature. 

24. 2019 State worker supports: "I promised I will do everything I can to support" state government workers because "pressures on our state government have been building up for years. Departments that are understaffed, that lack diversity, and suffer from low morale. Outdated technology and IT challenges that impede both state employees’ ability to do their jobs and Michigan residents’ ability to access government services"

Successful? Partial. Average pay for state workers is up from $62,019 to $74,917. Despite executive directives, diversity has not changed much. State budgets have included funding for various IT upgrades. 

25. 2019 Referendum proof: “I will veto bills designed to cut out the public’s right of referendum."

Successful? No, the 2023 Right-to-Work repeal legislation Whitmer signed include a $2 million appropriation making it immune from voter referendum

HEALTH CARE

26. 2020 Codify Obamacare: "One of the most important ACA provisions prohibits an insurance company from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Without that provision, the coverage of millions in our state could be at risk. We need to enshrine these protections for Michiganders."

Successful? Yes, Whitmer signed legislation into law in 2023. 

27. 2024 Insulin costs: "For years, drug companies have been jacking up insulin prices. The average price tripled from 2009 to 2019. They reap billions on life-saving medicine because without serious competition, they name their own price. That is unconscionable...there have been bipartisan bills introduced to cap the cost of insulin at 50 bucks a month.  We all agree that insulin costs too much, and I know we can work together to hold drug companies accountable, lower costs, and save lives. "

Successful? No. Bills died in the Legislature 

28. 2022 Mental health: “We should invest in our mental health workforce so we can expand access. Nearly 40% of Michiganders do not get treatment for their mental illness. We will address this shortfall by expanding Michigan's Loan Repayment Program for mental health professionals. And we will make a historic investment to retain and recruit hundreds more mental health workers. I will propose another bold investment in mental health in next year's school aid budget too, building on work we did last year to help schools hire more than 560 nurses, counselors, and social workers.

Successful? Yes. Budgets Whitmer signed included funding for mental health professionals and a loan repayment program. 

29. 2020 Prescription drug prices: "I will create a task force that will focus on prescription drug transparency and lowering costs."

Successful? Yes. Whitmer created the task force through executive order. It was advisory only, with no ability to lower costs on its own

30. 2020 Post-partum care: "We will extend postpartum care from 60 days to one full year after giving birth, and move up a woman’s first postpartum visit to within three weeks, with a comprehensive visit within 12 weeks."

Successful? Yes, Whitmer secured federal approval to expand Medicaid coverage for moms and babies

31. 2020 Mental health for moms: "We’ll increase access to treatment for substance addiction and mental health services that work for moms."

Successful? Yes. The governor signed various spending and policy bills, including a 2024 measure requiring insurers to cover additional and mental health treatments at the same level as physical coverage. 

32. 2023 Abortion rights: “Let’s repeal other dangerous laws prohibiting people from accessing reproductive health care or shaming them for seeking it in the first place.”

Successful? Yes. Whitmer signed legislation into law in 2023. 

33. 2020 Implicit bias training: "I’ve asked our medical partners and universities to incorporate implicit bias training into their curriculum"

Successful? Yes. The Whitmer administration finalized rules in 2020. 

34. 2021 COVID-19 vaccine: "Our medical objective is to vaccinate at least 70% of our population age 16 and up as soon as possible.”

Successful? Yes, but it took some time. Whitmer did not implement any vaccine mandates, but the state said 70% of adult Michiganders were vaccinated by November of 2021, about nine months after Whitmer announced the goal.

35. 2020 Birth control choice: "We’ll let a woman choose birth control that works for her. A novel idea, I know – we’re going to ask a woman what she wants, ensure she can get it in one visit, and provide coverage for it.”

Successful? Yes. Whitmer signed legislation into law allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control and administer it on the spot. 

INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSING

36. 2024 Housing: “In 2024, let’s build more of every kind of housing—single family homes, apartments, and mixed-use buildings. In 2024, we will make the largest investment to build housing in Michigan history. We will invest almost $1.4 billion to build or rehabilitate nearly 10,000 homes. That’s 10 times what we put into housing just 10 years ago.”

Successful? Yes, the Whitmer administration spent previously existing funds on various housing initiatives. 

37. 2019 Fix the roads: "Let’s come together and pass a budget that actually fixes the damn roads!"

Successful? No. The Legislature rejected Whitmer’s 2019 proposal for a 45-cent fuel tax hike. She authorized $3.5 billion in bonding instead but has not yet reached a long-term deal with lawmakers.

38. 2023 Road tech: “And as we fix them, let’s build the most innovative transportation systems in the country. With new smart road technology, we can avert hundreds of crashes and get the next-generation of made-in-Michigan vehicles on the road.”

Successful? Partial. The state is building a 3-mile stretch of "smart highway" between Ann Arbor and Detroit, where it has also built a quarter-mile segment of road that can wirelessly charge electric vehicles. Widespread adoption remains far off. 

39. 2024 Road bonds: “I’m calling on the Michigan Department of Transportation to authorize the final $700 million of the Rebuilding Michigan Plan.”

Successful? To be determined. Whitmer did call on MDOT to issue the final tranche of her $3.5 billion bonding plan, and MDOT welcomed the call. But the department did not end up issuing the bonds in 2024. Instead, it is currently planning to do so this summer or early fall, “depending on cash flow needs and market conditions,” a spokesperson said. 

40. 2021 Water infrastructure: "Last year, I announced the MI Clean Water plan, a $500 million investment in Michigan's water infrastructure. Direct dollars to communities for safe, clean water to residents. And it supports over 7,500 Michigan jobs. It’s time for the Legislature to pass these bills so we can start rebuilding Michigan’s water infrastructure."

Successful? Yes. It wasn’t exactly what she proposed, but Whitmer in 2022 approved a $3.3 billion spending bill to support water infrastructure across the state. 

41. 2023 Fix roads: “Throughout my second term, I will continue finding ways to keep fixing the damn roads.”

Successful? To be determined. Whitmer has not identified significant new ways to fix roads but is again calling on the Legislature to help develop a solution. 

KITCHEN TABLE

42. 2024 Caregiver tax credit:  “I’m calling for a new caregiver tax credit, that will put money back in the pockets of Michiganders who care for an aging or sick relative...The new Caring for MI Family Tax Credit could save thousands of Michigan families up to $5,000 on their taxes.”

Successful? No, the plan died in the Legislature

43. 2020 Auto Insurance:  Michigan’s new auto insurance reform law will "ensure an average rate reduction for the next eight years."

Successful? To be determined. The law Whitmer signed in 2019 does require insurers to lower the personal injury protection medical coverage portion of premiums for eight years — not necessarily the total premium — and also allows motorists to opt out of that medical coverage altogether if they have health insurance.  According to one recent study, rates in Michigan fell 18% between 2021 and 2024 but remained among the highest in the nation.

44. 2021 Unemployment benefits: Whitmer called “on the Legislature to permanently extend unemployment benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks. This would bring Michigan in line with 40 other states and provide hard-hit Michigan workers with the financial security and peace of mind they deserve.”

Successful? Yes, but delayed. Whitmer was unable to get the plan through a Republican-led Legislature but Democrats sent her a bill she signed last year.

45. 2022 Pension tax repeal: “For our seniors, let's work together to repeal the retirement tax.

Successful? Yes, but not in 2022. Democrats who took control of the Legislature in 2023 sent Whitmer legislation she signed into law. 

46. 2022 Earned Income Tax Credit: “It's time to increase the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit.”

Successful? Yes, but not in 2022. Democrats who took control of the Legislature in 2023 sent Whitmer legislation she signed into law. 

47. 2020 Overtime pay: "I’ve directed the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to expand the right to overtime pay to tens of thousands of Michigan workers."

Successful? No. Whitmer directed her labor department to begin the rulemaking process to raise the minimum income threshold to qualify. But current rules, as modified in 2020, still defer to the federal threshold, which was set to rise significantly last year but has been mired in a court battle. 

48. 2024 Lowering costs: “We will continue our work to lower costs on the biggest items in your budget.”

Successful? To be determined. Whitmer signed laws to encourage more homebuilding and reduce utility expenses, which could lower some costs. Still, most household costs have continued to climb.