Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her eighth and final State of the State address this week, highlighting her administration’s accomplishments while outlining priorities for her remaining year in office. Whitmer focused on her three core priorities for the year ahead: literacy, housing and health care costs.

Whitmer positioned literacy as the cornerstone of her final-year agenda. This renewed push is both welcome and overdue. Michigan has struggled for years with stagnant reading scores, uneven support across districts and persistent achievement gaps. Michigan has one of the largest school budgets in the country, yet 75% of our fourth graders can’t read proficiently and only 25% of eighth graders are proficient in math. Our kids deserve a better, cohesive long-term strategy. Connecting early childhood development, teacher recruitment and curriculum reform is essential to ensuring that our children and families can thrive in our state.

The governor reaffirmed the need to expand housing supply across Michigan, emphasizing its importance to affordability and economic growth. Addressing zoning challenges, construction barriers and regional disparities will require coordinated legislative action.

Rounding out her tenure, Whitmer is looking to focus on health care affordability. Like housing, this issue is national in scope and deeply complex. Gov. Whitmer applauded bipartisan policies that wiped out medical debt for more than 200,000 Michiganders, but many still face rising premiums, limited provider networks and escalating prescription costs. A productive path forward will require rigorous evaluation of current programs, coordination with federal policy shifts and renewed bipartisan commitment.

Michigan’s long-term success depends on a willingness from all sides to confront shortcomings honestly and pursue durable, bipartisan solutions. I am committed to doing just that and look forward to continuing to work toward our shared priorities and delivering a fiscally responsible budget on time for the people of Michigan.

The bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

I was honored to be recognized as Safari Club International’s State Legislator of the Year for 2026. A lifelong outdoorsman, I have spent countless days in Michigan’s forests, streams and fields, developing a deep appreciation for the state’s natural beauty and a passion for conservation that continues to guide my work in the Michigan Senate.

Through years of hunting and fishing, I have gained a firsthand understanding of the importance of ethical outdoor practices and protecting Michigan’s natural resources. In the Legislature, I championed conservation initiatives, worked to expand access to public lands and promoted youth hunting and outdoor education programs. I believe these efforts are essential for preserving Michigan’s outdoor traditions and maintaining healthy habitats for wildlife.

This award serves as a meaningful reminder that safeguarding Michigan’s outdoor heritage and natural resources requires ongoing collaboration and commitment. I remain dedicated to strengthening conservation efforts and ensuring that Michigan’s outdoor legacy thrives for generations to come.