On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State. Her policy agenda for her last year in office is focused: literacy, housing, and healthcare affordability.
Literacy – Every Child Reads
Across Michigan, too many students aren’t reading at grade level. Her plan includes:
- Universal full-day pre-K
- Statewide adoption of evidence-based reading curriculum (Science of Reading)
- Dyslexia screening
- Expanded tutoring
Why it matters: Talent is critical for West Michigan employers, and that starts with students’ ability to read. The Grand Rapids Chamber supports evidence-based approaches to improving literacy and ensuring students are reading by third grade.
Housing
To increase housing supply and decrease the cost to build, the Governor proposed:
- Creating a state affordable housing tax credit that mirrors the existing federal credit
- Reforming zoning, lot sizes, and other construction regulations
Why it matters: Affordable housing has been a key priority for the Grand Rapids Chamber for nearly a decade. Our government affairs team is proud to partner with the House, Senate, and Governor on moving zoning and regulation reforms forward.
Healthcare Affordability
Through federal changes and rising costs, healthcare continues to be a key concern for many Michiganders. The Governor proposed:
- Capping medical debt interest rates
- Keeping medical debt off credit reports
- Banning liens on homes for medical debt
- Stabilizing Medicaid funding
Why it matters: While there is broad agreement on reducing healthcare costs, the Grand Rapids Chamber continues to prioritize market-driven solutions that increase transparency, expand provider options, and preserve flexibility in plan design.
These proposals were met with generally bipartisan support; however, the policy-making window is tight this year with the election in November. We expect to see a lot of discussion on these ideas and more over the next several months.