'Big Gretch Out:' Governor Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address in Lansing
Reactions to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer final State of the State address
Aric Nesbitt, the state Senate minority leader and a Republican candidate for governor, delivered the official GOP response. He’s expected to argue the governor’s budget is too large, too expensive, and relies too heavily on tax increases. Meanwhile, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall has already made clear Republicans are not interested in raising taxes, saying the GOP plans to focus on cutting spending and tightening oversight of the Whitmer administration.
LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address and while she focused on her legacy and what she still wants to accomplish, Republicans are already signaling they’ve got other ideas for Michigan’s future.
Local perspective:
Governor Whitmer took to the podium in Lansing highlighting what she calls progress, record education funding, expanded preschool, free school meals, and tax relief for working families and seniors.
Her proposed $88 billion budget continues those themes, investing heavily in ensuring grade school kids can read, higher education scholarships, and protecting health care access while also proposing new or higher taxes on tobacco, vaping products, and online gambling to help balance the books.
She hopes to have the budget on her desk by the end of June.
But Republicans have other ideas.
The other side:
Aric Nesbitt, the state Senate minority leader and a Republican candidate for governor, delivered the official GOP response. He’s expected to argue the governor’s budget is too large, too expensive, and relies too heavily on tax increases.
Meanwhile, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall has already made clear Republicans are not interested in raising taxes, saying the GOP plans to focus on cutting spending and tightening oversight of the Whitmer administration.
With Republicans now controlling the House, the debate over taxes and spending is likely just getting started.
Michigan GOP response to 2026 State of the State address
Aric Nesbitt, the state Senate minority leader and a Republican candidate for governor, delivered the official GOP response. He’s expected to argue the governor’s budget is too large, too expensive, and relies too heavily on tax increases.
Whitmer's address went on at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and ended just before 8 p.m. You can see the full address below:
Governor Gretchen Whitmer's full 2026 State of the State address
Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address and while she focused on her legacy and what she still wants to accomplish, Republicans are already signaling they’ve got other ideas for Michigan’s future.