Honigman Capitol Report

2023 State of the State Address

Governor Whitmer made history last night as the first Democratic governor in 40 years to speak to a Legislature under complete control of her party. Whitmer delivered her State of the State address focusing on proposals related to lowering costs for Michiganders, the Make it in Michigan Program, fundamental freedoms related to abortion and the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, Education and Public Safety. The state has a projected $9.2 billion surplus to work with this year. Notably absent from her speech was the repeal of the Right-to-Work law, which legislative Democrats indicate is a top priority.

Lowering MI Costs

The Governor highlighted plans to roll back decade old changes to retirement income taxation and expansion of a tax credit for low-income workers. Whitmer’s goal is to eliminate the so-called pension tax for seniors saving half a million households $1,000 annually.

She also proposed an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit for all low-income earners in Michigan. The Working Families Tax Credit is based on a share of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), currently 6%. While many states have their own version of the tax credit, Michigan is one of the less generous programs. Senate Democrats are proposing to increase the tax credit from 6% to 30% beginning in 2022 which will cost $441.6 million annually according to the Senate Fiscal Agency.

Whitmer also called for expanding the Great Start Readiness Program so that all 4 year olds have access to Preschool. Currently the program is available to children whose family household income is up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

Make it in Michigan

Fundamental Freedoms

Education and Public Safety

Whitmer also proposed increased funding for tutoring and infrastructure under the MI Kids Back on Track Plan. This plan offers every child personalized learning support by investing in tutoring, after-school programs and other learning support systems.

The Governor next called for better training, oversight and mental health resources for law enforcement officers. In addition to proposing changes to law enforcement training and funding, Whitmer also urged the legislature to introduce legislation that requires universal background checks for all firearm sales and mandates safe storage of weapons. The Governor further stated that she will push for extreme risk protection orders, also known as red flag laws, allowing individuals or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily confiscate an individual’s weapons by showing that the person is a risk to others or themselves.

Republican Response