Recapping Governor Gretchen Whitmer's 5th State of the State address

In Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s fifth State of the State address, she focused heavily on economic relief for Michigan’s working families and says she aims to expand the working family tax credit and make early childhood education more accessible and affordable. She plans on expanding Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program touting that it will have a positive impact on Michigan families and their bank accounts. “Let’s expand our bi-partisan preschool effort, the Great Start Readiness Program," Whitmer said. "So every four-year-old in Michigan can access a free public preschool education by the end of my second term.” According to Governor Whitmer, the free public school initiative would save families upwards of $10,000. She's hoping that the investment will not only support kids and their educational outcomes but working parents, especially moms, jump back into the workforce. “Every single parent. Every one of us knows that an early start is critical for our children’s future," she said. “Data shows that children who go to pre-school are more likely to graduate, earn a certificate or degree, and get a good paying job.”