On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State address. Normally, the address happens before the budget presentation and then the budget highlights her priorities. This year, the budget was presented before the speech, allowing the speech to cover more issues.

The address began by highlighting the state's achievements over the past years, including the significant increase in the rainy-day fund which provides a crucial buffer against economic downturns, paying down state debt, providing free school meals, expanding preschool access to all four-year-olds and expanding childcare to thousands more kids.

Looking ahead, Governor Whitmer outlined her priorities for the coming year, focusing on easing the burden of costs for families, fostering job growth, increasing wages across the state and streamlining permitting and licensure processes.

Under costs, she discussed more affordable housing, lowering childcare costs and relieving medical debt.

Under jobs, she touted the earned sick time and minimum wage bills that passed last week. She spoke to programs to help people join or rejoin the workforce, especially in the trades. She also pushed the existing programs to make universities and community colleges more affordable.

Finally, under results, she spent some time talking about how to make the permitting and licensing process easier for citizens and businesses in Michigan. Under this section, she mentioned a few education items.

She spoke about expanding funding and opportunities for Career and Technical Education, which we do see in her budget proposal. She also wants to limit minors' access to vapes and put them on the same level as tobacco as far as taxation. A call was made to the legislature to pass something addressing smart devices in schools, there were no details, just that districts need to address it. Finally, she indicated that there should be more transparency in schools, especially for our parents, on how money is spent and how academic achievement is being supported and increased.

After the speech, House Majority Floor Leader Bryan Posthumus delivered the Republican response. He stated they have no intention of using their majority to obstruct, but to lead. They have three focus areas as well: keeping more money in citizens’ pockets, creating safer streets for our families and remembering that politicians represent us, not special interests.