Allies Applaud Whitmer's Literacy Push As GOP House Looms, Progressives Look For Action

Michigan Advance

March 2, 2026

Although some view the student-centered education proposals unveiled Wednesday by Gretchen Whitmer in her final State of the State address as a proven way to address childhood literacy, others doubt she can advance the policies in a hostile Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Whitmer said her last year in office will focus on boosting literacy with new methods that other states have tried with proven success. Those methods include teaching reading skills earlier, and fully funding free, full-day pre-kindergarten for all children in Michigan.

The governor also presented new housing reforms, like a state-level affordable housing tax credit, and supporting a bipartisan, bicameral effort to change the state’s zoning rules.

On health care, Whitmer also proposed new caps on medical debt interest and rules that would prevent medical debt from showing up on residents’ credit reports.

The Michigan Education Association, the state’s powerful teachers’ union, thanked Whitmer for making early literacy a top priority before she leaves office.

“Exceptional educators equipped with the right training and tools will make a big difference for student literacy — so long as we stay committed over time to a consistent, rigorous approach to this critical work,” said MEA President Chandra Madafferi in a statement. “Whether a student is already an excellent reader or needs additional support, it’s imperative to improve reading skills for all students, no matter where they live.”

The Autism Alliance of Michigan also said in a statement that Whitmer reaffirmed her commitment to lifelong student success in her Wednesday address.

In a news release, the organization said her core education pitch for 2026 emphasized the need for identifying students who need additional support and ensuring that, with the right resources in place, every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“We appreciate Governor Whitmer’s commitment to putting student needs at the center of education policy,” said Heather Eckner, director of Statewide Education at the Autism Alliance of Michigan, in a statement. “When funding systems reflect the real intensity and complexity of the supports students require, schools are better positioned to deliver meaningful outcomes for every child.”

Eckner also said Michigan has a good framework to work off of: the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint, known as the MI Blueprint. The framework is a legislatively directed, data-driven framework developed through extensive statewide engagement with parents, educators, administrators, and policy experts.

It aims to modernize how Michigan funds special education, and was incorporated into Whitmer’s 2026-27 budget proposal.

Ekner added that the moment now requires those kinds of support, especially as Michigan now has a “clear, research-based framework to modernize special education funding.”

“The MI Blueprint, developed at the Legislature’s request and shaped by voices from across the state, provides a practical and transparent path to align resources with student need,” she said. “Moving toward this approach would strengthen predictability for districts, support long-term planning and staffing, and ensure that access to services is not determined by geography or local wealth.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her eighth and final State of the State address at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Feb. 25, 2026. Behind her, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, left, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, center, and House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Twp., right, look on. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, said Whitmer’s speech touched on a number of the organization’s priorities, including her push on addressing medical debt and housing.

“Countless Michigan families are struggling right now to make ends meet and are having to make impossible choices, like whether to buy groceries for the week or pay off their medical bills,” Stanton said in a statement. “It’s promising to hear of the governor’s plans to ease that financial strain. We are in full support of any comprehensive strategy to protect the health and well-being of Michiganders in these challenging times. And we stand with the governor in her call to Congress to renew the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits.”

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said in a statement that Whitmer was on the frontlines of protecting Michiganders from assaults on health care coverage and rising costs during her tenure, and said the governor has shown that she will continue to do so as the sun sets on her term in office.

“Governor Gretchen Whitmer has delivered on the kitchen table issues that matter most and shown that she’s a fighter for the people of Michigan. Gov. Whitmer has fixed the damn roads, repealed the retirement tax, delivered historic investments in our public schools, protected fundamental freedoms, and so much more,” Hertel said. “Despite the chaos in Washington D.C., Gov. Whitmer and Democrats will always fight to move Michigan forward and build a brighter future for our state.”

Branden Snyder, a member of the We Make Michigan coalition and the Michigan state director for the Working Families Party, said the governor must spend her last year fighting for policies that affect the many, “not a greedy few.”

“The damage from years of partisan tricks and a disappointing Democratic trifecta will continue unless Whitmer unequivocally aligns herself with working families. This coming budget cycle is the governor’s final chance to upend the status quo,” Snyder said in a statement. “Most of us want the same things – time to spend with the people we love, a home we can afford, quality health care we can rely on, childcare when and where we need it, and a dignified job to support our family. Right now, that life feels out of reach.”

Snyder, who said that “even surviving is expensive,” urged Whitmer to remain laser-focused as she stands to face headwinds from Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) and his GOP-led House as budget season ramps up.

“We want to see her win a budget that protects all of our people, demand that the richest of the rich pay their fair share in taxes, call for an end to corporate preemption laws, stand up to companies like DTE that pay our legislators legal bribes to vote their way, and lean on House Republicans to reject Matt Hall’s disgusting cuts and attempts to impoverish our communities,” he said. “It’s time for Governor Whitmer to refuse to compromise.”

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