Updates About Governor

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently delivered her latest “Road Ahead” address in Flint, where she outlined a bold plan to position Michigan as a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing. With the critical role that chips play in everything from smartphones to national defense systems, this industry offers a long-term source of stability for Michigan’s economy.

Components of her plan include securing a semiconductor fabrication facility, commonly referred to as a “fab,” by the end of her term, and investing in skilled, lucrative jobs for Michiganders. Through these efforts, she hopes to attract other large manufacturing projects and eventually establish a complete semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem within the state. With existing investments from companies like SK Siltron and Hemlock Semiconductor already contributing to the state’s chip supply chain, the Governor sees a unique opportunity for Michigan to become a central hub in this high-tech sector.

The Michigan Senate Appropriations Health and Human Services Subcommittee advanced its version of the FY 2026 DHHS budget last week at $39.31 billion, coming in slightly higher than the Governor’s proposed $39.15 billion recommendation. Chair Sylvia Santana’s (D-Detroit) objectives include improving health outcomes for families while protecting essential services and preparing for potential decreases in federal Medicaid support.

Key Senate additions include $58 million for expanding Flint’s Rx Kids program, $13 million for water affordability initiatives, and $10 million for reproductive health access grants. The Senate also proposed smaller increases to Medicaid eligibility than Whitmer’s plan. The budget did not include funding for building a state psychiatric hospital in Northville or for health care services for incarcerated individuals prior to release. It also failed to include several items funded by opioid settlement dollars that were proposed in the Governor’s executive recommendation. However, the Senate added funding in areas such as permanent supportive housing, reproductive health access grants, children’s advocacy centers, non-clinical direct care worker pay, and medical debt relief.

Governor Whitmer has declared May 11–17, 2025, as Women’s Health Week in Michigan, highlighting the state’s recent efforts to protect access to reproductive health care and improve overall health outcomes for women and girls. The proclamation encourages community members and health professionals to engage in initiatives that support women’s health and well-being, from prenatal care to menopause and beyond. It also underscores the critical role Medicaid plays in maternal health, covering nearly half of all births in Michigan.

Check out the Governor’s entire proclamation on Women’s Health Week here.