Michigan Governor Softens Opposition to Trump in State of the State Message

Gretchen Whitmer, possible Democratic presidential hopeful, said she’s willing to find common ground with Trump: ‘My North Star has always been collaboration.’

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during the last day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Michigan’s two-term Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer walked a fine line between cooperation with and criticism of President Donald Trump in her seventh State of the State speech delivered Wednesday night.

Term-limited out in 2026, Whitmer is on the short list of potential candidates vying to become the Democratic nominee for president in 2028.

The governor took some shots at Washington Republicans, saying that we are living in a “divisive national moment when America needs a new way forward.” She called it a “time when bullying and lying seem to be in style.”

With all the current “economic uncertainty” and “political division,” she said, “national politics can be exhausting.”

She suggested that high interest rates and the latest inflation rate of 3 percent are the fault of the new administration and the GOP majorities in Washington.

Concerned About Tariffs’ Impact

Whitmer warned that Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs would “wreak havoc” on Michigan’s economy. She called tariffs “a blunt tool” that would cost the consumer $1,200 per year and raise the price of a car by $3,000.

The price of prescription drugs and heating oil would also go up, according to Whitmer.

“We are all being manipulated by the largest, most powerful corporations in the world,” she said, adding, “our people are not as divided as our politics.”

She said she was grateful that “Republicans, Democrats, and private sector leaders are speaking out against widespread, 25 percent tariffs on our neighbors.”

“Because we know saying no to Canada means saying yes to China,” she said, without further explanation.

Bipartisanship Is the Goal

Sounding a softer note, Whitmer said the people are counting on their leaders to work together, listen, and learn from each other. She said she intended to serve all the people of Michigan, no matter who is in the White House.

Finding “common ground with President Trump” is one of her objectives, she said.

“My North Star has always been collaboration. I will work with anyone to get things done,” she said. “We must all compromise.”

Whitmer also expressed hope that Democrats and Republicans can work together in Lansing. She said her objective was to get costs down, create more jobs, and get results from “better functioning government.”

Whitmer said she was able to grow a list of accomplishments, including during the first two years of her first term with the GOP in control of both houses of the state Legislature.

“Our financial house is in order. We have a surplus and will pay down debt,” Whitmer said.

She also warned that the $3.5 billion bond issue approved in 2020 to repair the state’s roads and bridges is nearly all spent, with a lot more work to be done. She said the state’s road budget is “facing a funding cliff.”

Whitmer appealed to Republican legislators to consider “new, fair sources of revenue” to pay for road work. She then told her fellow Democrats that budget cuts “will need to be part of the solution.”

Bad roads cost Michigan drivers $750 each year in car repairs, she said.

Reducing Regulation

Referring to the need for regulatory reform, Whitmer said, “Our permitting system has been broken for a long time.”

“We need to change state laws. Let’s simplify permitting to get things built on time and on budget.”

She said there were 401 state permits and that the permitting process must be sped up. To that end, Whitmer proposed the elimination of 26 boards and committees and a review to find and eliminate unnecessary rules. She said she wanted professional licensing in Michigan to be “easier, faster, and cheaper.”

Whitmer questioned how the state could be spending more than most other states on education per pupil and be in the bottom 10 in terms of results.

Limiting the use of cellphones by students during the school day is something the Legislature needs to consider, she said. “It’s hard to teach geography or geometry when you are competing against memes.”

Playing on a phrase popularized by Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” energy agenda, Whitmer said the answer to Michigan being short 140,000 homes is “build, baby, build.”

To fuel the building spree, Whitmer proposed the state invest $2 billion “to build or fix up 11,000 homes.”

On the energy front, Whitmer pointed to the restart of the first closed nuclear plant in the nation’s history. The soon-to-be reactivated Palisades Power Plant in Covert is expected to bring over 600 high-paying union jobs to the area. The move is not popular with environmental groups that make up some of Whitmer’s key support.

Whitmer lauded the bipartisan expansion of the Michigan Energy Assistance Program that helped qualified low-income recipients save $700 per year on their energy bills.

To help young people find good-paying jobs, Whitmer urged the Legislature to make a record investment in career and technical education. Addressing young Michiganders, Whitmer said, “We want to help you to learn more and earn more.”

Whitmer said near the end of her speech, “Our brand has taken a beating over the last few decades.”

The governor appealed to all Michiganders to work together to help the state that “we all love, live up to our potential.”

Republicans Respond

Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy), was skeptical of Whitmer’s message.

“Masquerading as a partial conservative in one speech won’t undo the six years of damage the governor has inflicted on our state,” said Wortz in a statement. “After hanging out with President Trump, Gov. Whitmer has been trying to play up her new persona as a conservative policymaker. I hope her shifting political outlook is genuine, but she needs to follow through with real action to help Republicans bring our state back from the brink.

Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) said he liked some of what he heard.

“Some of our department heads in state government are shaking in their boots after the governor’s speech—they know how inefficient their agencies are and how much effort it will take to fix the permitting process,” said Neyer in a statement. “But honestly, if she means what she says, the governor hit the nail on the head with her proposal to streamline the permitting process.”

The governor’s remark that the state’s “financial house is in order” prompted a reaction from Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Portland).

“House Republicans want to shrink our state budget and put tax dollars back where they belong: in the pockets of the people who earned it. If the governor truly cares about the financial health of our state, she’ll partner with us to ensure residents are just as financially sound as state government,”  Johnsen said in a statement.

Others struck an upbeat note.

“Michigan is back on its feet now that Republicans have the House majority,” Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford) said in a statement. “The governor is starting to reach across the aisle and work with us. Last week, she signed a bipartisan compromise to reduce red tape and unnecessary costs so small businesses can keep their doors open, workers can keep their jobs, and restaurant servers can keep collecting big tips.”

Rep. Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton) added: “I’m glad the governor is continuing to reach across the aisle and work with Republicans to tackle the issues that matter most to Michigan residents. People in the Upper Peninsula are tired of divisive policies and political showmanship, and it looks like the governor is tired of it too.”