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Governor Gretchen Whitmer today penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, advocating for Michigan families and businesses in light of costly tariff policies imposed by Republicans in Washington.
“A strong economy requires a trade policy that works with our partners, brings supply chains home and makes life affordable,” wrote Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I recently called the president to relay how the ever-changing tariff policy is hurting Michigan businesses and families. We need to be smart and strategic about trade policy, and lower costs so we can bring back American manufacturing.”
Some Op-Ed Highlights [Lightly edited for simplicity, space and style – AutoCrat. Also note that in January 1914 the WSJ opined that Henry Ford’s $5 a day pay for assembly line workers was “an economic crime,” that made Ford a “class traitor.”]
“Michigan families shoulder America’s highest tariff burden at more than $5600 per household since January 2025, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. That’s why I recently called the president to relay how the ever-changing tariff policy is hurting Michigan businesses and families.
“While a governor can’t change trade policy or end inflation herself, Michigan has lowered costs and put money in people’s pockets by delivering free pre-K and school meals and more than $1 billion in tax cuts. I’m fighting relentlessly for a smarter, strategic trade policy, and I’ll keep at it,” Whitmer said.
“No state understands better than Michigan the need to bring back manufacturing. We all want more things made in America, and more American workers building cars, batteries, semiconductors—you name it. But to rebuild American manufacturing, create jobs and lower costs, we must change course. Or today’s pain could permanently cripple American manufacturing,” Whitmer said.
Lowering Costs for Michiganders
Governor Whitmer said she has been focused on lowering costs for Michiganders. Since taking office, the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has:
- Rolled back the retirement tax to save 500,000 households an average of $1,000 a year.
- Quintupled the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit to give over 650,000 working families an average tax refund of more than $3,800.
- Ended state taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
- Signed a deal raising the minimum wage to $15/hour one year ahead of schedule for more than 700,000 workers and making Michigan’s earned sick time the best in the country, while providing more flexibility for small businesses.
- Established Michigan Reconnect to offer any Michigander 25 and older tuition-free associate’s degree or skills certificate.
- Established the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to save students thousands of dollars a year as they pursue a skills certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree.
- Expanded access to free pre-K to every four-year-old, saving families average of $14,000 a year and helping every kid arrive at kindergarten better prepared to learn.
- Delivered refunds of $400 per vehicle back in the pockets of Michigan drivers.
- Announced the MI Open Account Coalition offering low or no-cost financial services, saving 120,000 eligible families an average of $3,000 a year and helping them build wealth.
*AutoInformed on
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