Updates About Governor

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive directive requiring state offices to assess the impact of federal tariffs on Michigan’s economy. Executive Directive 2025-5 instructs that by August 30, the following departments are to review data that may shed light on the impact of new tariffs in Michigan: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Department of Natural Resources; Department of Technology, Management, and Budget; Department of Transportation; and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Here in Michigan, the impact of tariffs is poised to be much higher than in many other states due to our manufacturing and agriculture-heavy economy. Already, the state has experienced rising costs and disrupted supply chains. Whitmer has expressed concerns about the negative effects these tariffs will have on Michigan families and businesses. The directive was issued one day before President Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced recently that Sandisk, the semiconductor company previously eyeing Michigan’s Mundy Township megasite, has pulled out of the project due to national economic uncertainty. The company, which had applied for CHIPS Act funding, decided not to move forward with building any U.S. plants, citing concerns over tariffs and stalled federal support. Whitmer emphasized Michigan’s continued commitment to attracting advanced manufacturing investment, despite growing headwinds at the federal level. The Mundy site remains available for future development.

Read previous coverage on Michigan’s semiconductor industry here: GOVERNOR WHITMER OUTLINES BOLD VISION FOR MICHIGAN’S SEMICONDUCTOR FUTURE

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has launched the first round of Michigan’s medical debt relief program, wiping out more than $144 million in medical debt for nearly 210,000 residents. The effort, in partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, is partially funded by a $4.5 million allocation in the state’s 2024 budget. It targets individuals with incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or whose medical debt exceeds 5% of their annual income. No application is required and eligible recipients will be notified by mail.

This statewide initiative builds on earlier localized efforts in Wayne, Oakland, and Kalamazoo counties and reflects the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration’s broader commitment to reducing the financial strain of healthcare. State officials cited rising medical costs and recent cuts to Medicaid as key motivators behind the program. The first round of relief prioritized some of the hardest-hit counties, including Macomb, Kent, Genesee, and Ingham. The debt forgiveness program complements the administration’s broader strategy to lower costs for Michigan families, alongside initiatives such as tax relief, expanded early childhood education, and improved access to affordable insurance. Additional rounds of debt forgiveness are expected in the months ahead.