Dear Friend,

Yesterday, in Lansing, I delivered my Protect and Defend Michigan’s Economy Speech, presenting a commonsense path forward for Michigan’s economy.

I talked about how economic uncertainty, driven by federal tariffs and troubling signs in America’s manufacturing sector, undermines our ability to create jobs and reach our full potential. We’re also seeing rising costs in Michigan because of the chaotic national tariff strategy. Everything costs more: clothes, school supplies, fresh fruit and veggies.

Right now, it's more important than ever for elected officials, especially in Washington, to do what they can to protect constituents from further economic pain. We cannot control what happens in DC, but here in Michigan, we can take action to protect Michiganders from further disruption and harm.

That’s why it’s critical for state legislators to do their job and pass a balanced state budget by the end of the fiscal year. Let’s get it done to strengthen Michigan’s economy, ease uncertainty, and lower costs for working families.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor

Let’s Get a Budget Done for Michigan

As governor, my job is to introduce and sign a budget. It’s on the legislature to debate and pass a budget, and they need to get it done by the end of the fiscal year.

• 224 days ago, I introduced my budget recommendation on time, fulfilling my responsibility as governor.
• 126 days ago, the Senate passed their budget on time as they always have under Leader Brinks.  
• 78 days ago, the statutory budget deadline, July 1, came and went.  
• 22 days ago, the House finally passed their budget. And let me be clear, that’s not one I would ever sign.  
• 13 days is the amount of time the state legislature has left to deliver a budget before the end of the fiscal year, September 30. 

If we do this right, we can all win. We can govern, which means we all compromise:

• The budget can deliver on my priorities to invest in our kids, fix our roads, help us compete, and keep people safe.
• It can deliver on the Senate’s goals to protect Medicaid, feed kids at school, and support moms and babies.
• And it can deliver on the House’s goals too—cut spending, fix local roads, and increase transparency.

If the legislature sends me a budget that includes these shared priorities, I will sign it. I’ve signed six balanced budgets, four with a Republican Senate and House and two with a Democratic Senate and House. Every time, we got it done. We can still do this on time, but the clock is ticking.

We should be proud that no matter how dysfunctional Congress gets—no matter who’s in charge in DC—the State of Michigan has balanced its budgets and gotten them done on time. That’s the general rule here. As we look at the next 14 days, it’s a stark reminder of what’s happening in Washington and what we need to do in Lansing. Michigan can show the rest of the nation how to work together and get things done.

When I was in the state senate, I worked with Governor Snyder to expand Medicaid. I could've said no or made unreasonable demands to score political points. Instead, we put politics aside and got it done because it was the right thing to do. Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders have health care today because we centered our desire to make a real difference in people’s lives.

I know the world feels divided. We’re living through a time of extreme rhetoric and rising political violence. We must remember that while we stand on different sides of the aisle, we all want the same things: 

• Healthy and happy kids.
• Good paying jobs.
• Food on the table.
• Safe communities.
• A stronger Michigan.

Let’s get it done.

Make Your Voice Heard

I urge Republicans and Democrats to work together to pass a balanced, bipartisan budget. Both parties will have to compromise to get this done right, and that’s the way it ought to be.

To get in touch with your representatives in Lansing, make your voice heard, and stay up to date on legislative activity, please check out the links below.