MichMash: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shares key points from her State of the State address

Listen to the latest episode of the “MichMash” political podcast.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer touted the accomplishments of 2023 and her agenda for 2024 during her State of the State address this week.

MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Gongwer’s Zach Gorchow sat down with Whitmer to discuss her goals for this year — such as paid family leave.

In this episode:

  • Governor Gretchen Whitmer addresses the status of paid family and medical leave.
  • The possibility of bipartisan legislation in 2024.
  • The 2024 presidential election.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.


During Whitmer’s speech, she highlighted how she was able to execute plans that were previously slowed down due to former state Legislatures.  

“In my first State of the State, I came out with a bold plan that actually would’ve fixed the problem [with roads], but I couldn’t get the Legislature to pick it up, much less counter with an alternative idea,” Whitmer said. “In year two…put $3.5 billion into our roads. Last night called on MDOT to release the $700 million remaining.”

Whitmer mentioned a care giver tax credit, which she believes can help a significant portion of Michigan’s population.

“We know nationally people spend hundreds of billions of dollars to care for a child with long term needs or a sick or aging parent,” stated Whitmer.

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Author

  • WDET reporter and producer Hernz Laguerre Jr.
    Hernz Laguerre Jr. is a Multimedia Journalist at 101.9 WDET. He is one of the co-host for "Detroit Evening Report," one of the weekend anchors for "Weekend Edition," the producer for our political podcast, "MichMash," and reports on arts, culture and politics.