Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers State of the State address Wednesday night
(CBS DETROIT) - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her sixth State of the State Address Wednesday evening.
Whitmer delivered her address in the Michigan House of Chambers during a joint session of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate.
You can watch the full address in the video above.
"Michigan's story can be seen in our people's stories," said Whitmer in a statement prior to the address. "We are a state full of humble, hardworking people with simple dreams for themselves and their families. After one of the most successful years in our state's history, we've delivered on our promises to Michiganders, ranging from record tax cuts for families and free school meals for students to safer communities and more personal freedoms under the law. I look forward to sharing my vision for how we continue getting things done so everyone can build a brighter future in Michigan."
The second-term Democratic governor's speech preceded a legislative session that may require lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to work together for the first time since Democrats took full control of the state government last January. The state House will be tied 54-54 until at least April, when special elections for two open seats are set to be held.
Whitmer's speech highlighted an investment of over a billion dollars to build or rehabilitate housing in the state, saying they planned to "build, baby, build." She also called on lawmakers to pass a tax credit of up to $5,000 for caregiving expenses including counseling, transportation, and nursing or respite services.
The governor also used the opportunity to highlight policies implemented by Democrats in 2023, their first year with full control of the agenda in over four decades. Democrats worked to repeal a union-restricting law known as "right-to-work," overhaul gun laws in the state and further protect both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.