LANSING, Mich., Feb. 27, 2025 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State Address before a joint legislative session last night. In her speech, the governor discussed her plan to lower costs for families ahead of more looming tariffs, increase the workforce and deliver results for the people of Michigan. After the address, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement:
“I’m looking forward to building on the progress we’ve made in Michigan, especially as we work to combat the housing crisis, create more economic opportunities for working families and strengthen our state’s economy through investments in education and workforce development.
“The sharp increase in home values is forcing too many families out of buying a home, and this trend threatens to further exacerbate Michigan’s population decline. This crisis is significantly impacting our district, where seven communities are among the top 50 towns with the fastest-growing home prices in the state. Along the lakeshore in Allegan and Berrien counties, home values are skyrocketing — Douglas, for example, has seen a 10.5% increase, ranking it as the second-highest in Michigan, while Harbert ranks sixth. This affordability crisis is hurting too many families, and we must act now to ensure that homeownership remains within reach, not just a dream. I’m committed to working together to build more homes, reduce costs and address these housing challenges in our communities.
“At the same time, we must continue to invest in our workforce and secure our economic future. As a first-generation college graduate, I know firsthand the impact of access to higher education and career training. The governor’s commitment to expanding job training programs, apprenticeships and college affordability is critical to ensuring that every Michigander, regardless of background, has a pathway to success. These investments will help provide the skilled workforce the tools they need to keep our state economically competitive and set us up for continued success.
“Additionally, we recognize the importance of energy investments in our state, particularly with the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. Later this year, Palisades will become the first restarted nuclear power plant in American history, protecting 600 local union jobs while providing clean, reliable energy to hundreds of thousands of people. This is a historic moment for Southwest Michigan, and we will continue working on policies that position Michigan to meet its clean energy goals and lead the nation in energy innovation for years to come.
“We need to focus on streamlining permitting processes as part of broader zoning reforms to cut red tape, making it easier to build housing, invest in our communities and drive economic growth. Also, we must continue supporting working families by expanding consumer protections and increasing access to affordable child care, ensuring our economy works for everyone, not just a select few. I’m optimistic about Michigan’s future, and I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues to make our state the ideal place for people to live, work and invest.”
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