Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has spent the past six years laying out her vision for Michigan in her State of the State address. Now, as she prepares to deliver her seventh tonight, the focus sharpens on what direction the state will take next with a focus on speeding up Michigan’s permitting process, confronting the gender gap in higher education, cracking down on cellphone use in schools, and pushing for a tax increase on vaping products. While the specifics of her plans remain to be seen, the broader message is clear: policy shifts are on the horizon.
The permitting initiative is a continuation of Whitmer’s August 2023 directive aimed at making Michigan’s permitting process more efficient and transparent. Each state department or agency that handles permits was given 90 days to report back on the specifics of their permitting structure. Whitmer’s office was then tasked with setting processing time recommendations for each permit type while ensuring that application fees would be fully waived or refunded when legally possible.
“The governor is expected to instruct state departments and agencies to refund any permitting fees that we can and will call for changes to state law to speed up permitting, saving people time and money,” spokesperson Stacey LaRouche stated. The goal is to remove barriers that have long been a source of frustration for businesses and developers, while also ensuring the process remains accountable and efficient.
On the legislative front, Whitmer is also urging lawmakers to address the stark gender imbalance in Michigan Reconnect, a tuition-free program for residents 25 and older seeking an associate degree or skill certificate. Women outnumber men in the program 2 to 1, highlighting a growing concern about young men opting out of higher education and career training. The governor intends to sign a directive that makes it a priority to reach more young men and increase their participation in these programs.
Black women are the most educated demographic in the country, consistently achieving higher levels of education at greater rates than their male counterparts. Michigan’s tuition-free education opportunities present a significant chance for Black men to secure economic stability and career advancement. With a free pathway to an associate degree or a technical skill certification, there is no reason Black men should not be seizing this opportunity. The long-term impact of education on income, job security, and overall quality of life cannot be overstated. This program is an opportunity not just for individuals, but for entire communities to build generational wealth and stability.
Republican House Speaker Matt Hall is among those taking note of Whitmer’s proposals. He expressed support for elements of her agenda, particularly the focus on business fees, cellphones in school, and addressing the gender gap in education. “Refunding fees that are collected from state government, that’s really positive,” Hall said, while also emphasizing that a better solution might be lowering or eliminating the fees altogether rather than raising them and then issuing refunds.
Whitmer’s stance on cellphones in schools is another issue expected to make waves. She is backing legislation that would limit students’ ability to use phones during class, citing concerns about mental health and academic performance. LaRouche pointed to a survey of educators that found overwhelming support for restricting cellphone use during instructional time. The policy shift echoes a growing national trend, as more school districts and states implement similar restrictions.
There was a time when cellphones had no place in classrooms. During the millennial era, teachers did not allow students to have phones out during instruction. If a phone was seen, it was confiscated. Schools prioritized engagement and discipline, ensuring that students were focused on their studies without digital distractions. Now, the issue has reached the point where it requires government intervention. The normalization of constant phone access has eroded classroom discipline, and educators are left navigating a landscape where social media and text messages are competing for students’ attention. The fact that this debate has reached the governor’s desk reflects how drastically norms have shifted.
The growing reliance on phones in schools has created significant challenges. Teachers report that devices are being used for cyberbullying, social media distractions, and even planning and recording harmful incidents. “In schools, these devices are used for bullying purposes. They’re used for taunting. They’re used for recording embarrassing events that are planned and carried out. Instead of coming to a fellow student’s aid, too many students are there to record it on their cellphones,” said Rep. Mark Tisdel. “In the places where restrictions and time prohibitions have been put in place, you’ve seen counselor visits go down, school psychologist visits go down, fighting go down, bullying go down. Grades have come up. Concentration has increased. It’s just been a win everywhere it’s been tried.”
Whitmer is also expected to reiterate her budget proposal to increase taxation on vaping products and nicotine pouches. The plan would implement a 32% tax on the wholesale price, aligning it with the state’s excise tax on other non-cigarette tobacco products. While Democrats largely support the move as a way to curb youth nicotine addiction, Hall remains opposed.
“We could lower the cost of the fees for all of these permitting activities,” Hall said during a news conference. “And maybe we should even resist some of these fees. That would be a real positive. So rather than raising the fees and then refunding them, we could just lower the fees or eliminate the fees.”
The broader context of Whitmer’s address is shaped by recent budget negotiations and policy debates in the state legislature. Just days ago, lawmakers reached a last-minute agreement to adjust minimum wage and paid sick leave laws before they took effect, demonstrating the fast-moving nature of legislative priorities in Michigan. The governor’s proposals on permitting, education, and public health fit into this larger framework of ongoing political maneuvering.
The full details of Whitmer’s permitting reform plan remain unknown, but LaRouche emphasized that improvements will target processing times, associated fees, and interdepartmental coordination.
“The governor is expected to instruct state departments and agencies to refund any permitting fees that we can and will call for changes to state law to speed up permitting, saving people time and money,” LaRouche said. That emphasis on efficiency is likely to resonate with business owners and developers who have long cited Michigan’s permitting process as a bottleneck.
As Whitmer takes the stage at the state Capitol, her address will be scrutinized not just for what’s included, but for what is left unsaid. With major policy proposals on the table, the debate over these initiatives is far from over.
What happens next will depend on how much bipartisan cooperation can be found in Lansing. Whitmer’s push to reform permitting, address gender gaps in education, restrict cellphone use in schools, and increase vaping taxes reflects a mix of economic, educational, and public health priorities. Whether these measures will gain traction or stall remains to be seen.
For now, Michigan residents will be listening closely, waiting to see how these proposals play out in real time. The stakes are high, and the outcomes will shape policies that affect businesses, students, and families across the state.
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