Dear Michigander,
My goal is to make Michigan a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Together, let?s ensure anyone can ?make it in Michigan?.
Earlier this year, I delivered the What?s Next Address, a first-of-its-kind speech after a historically productive year in the state legislature. During the address, I laid out a policy vision for the fall. One of my goals was bold clean energy legislation. I also proposed legislation to strengthen our democracy, protect health care, enact paid family and medical leave, and lower prescription drug costs.
Over the last few months, we have made progress on these priorities. I signed legislation codifying cost-saving provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Bills have been introduced to protect and expand voting rights and lower prescription drug costs. And we are continuing to meet with stakeholders on how to deliver paid family and medical leave for every worker.
This week, the legislature passed a clean energy package that delivers on the goals I called for and will lower costs, create jobs, protect our air and water, shore up our energy independence, and make us a national leader in fighting climate change.?
From making record investments in Michigan students to fighting for quality, affordable healthcare and Michigan?s clean energy future, we?re executing our plans and working towards our goal to help anyone ?make it in Michigan?.??
Check out the updates below!
Sincerely,
Gretchen Whitmer Governor of Michigan
Building Michigan?s ?Clean Energy Future?
Michigan is home to some of the world?s greatest natural resources. We must do everything we can to protect and preserve our air, land, and lakes for future generations. That means Michigan must be a national leader on climate action.
That?s why I am proud that the Michigan Legislature recently passed a clean energy package that will lower costs, create jobs, protect our air and water, shore up our energy independence, and help us face climate change head-on.
By requiring energy companies to meet a 100% clean energy standard by 2040, authorizing the MPSC to consider climate, equity, and affordability in their decisions, and increasing energy efficiency targets across the board, this legislation grows our economy while better protecting our environment now and for future generations.
This legislation makes big strides towards the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which I laid out last year to address climate change head-on, lower costs for Michiganders, ensure every Michigan worker has a good-paying, sustainable job, and every family has clean air, water, and a home powered by clean, reliable energy.
I look forward to signing these bills and other legislation that accelerates the deployment of clean energy. Let?s get it done!
Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship
Education is key to building a brighter future for our state. But too many Michiganders struggle with the high cost of higher education. Last year, I signed bipartisan legislation establishing the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, lowering the cost of college by thousands for most Michigan students.
On Monday, we rolled out an extension of this program, the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship, which lowers costs to attend an eligible career training program in Michigan.
Under the program, graduating high school students will be eligible to receive up to $4,000 over two years to attend an eligible career training program in Michigan. Students who graduate from the Skills Scholarship could still be eligible to attend a college or university and pursue an associate degree, bachelor?s degree, or skill certificate with the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
We?re preparing students for rewarding, in-demand jobs and supporting Michigan businesses with the skilled talent they need to compete and grow in Michigan. And we?re helping Michigan move closer to our Sixty by 30 goal to have 60% of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.
To learn more about how students can receive tuition assistance through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, visit Michigan.gov/Achievement and the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship FAQ page for more information.
To apply, interested students must complete an application through the Michigan Student Aid Student Scholarships and Grants portal (MiSSG). Students should review the list of eligible career training programs at Michigan.gov/CareerTraining prior to filling out their application and will need to indicate their chosen career training provider in the application.
Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment
Every Michigander deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare. And we?re working hard to make sure more Michiganders have access to the care they deserve.
If you need health insurance for 2024, now is the time to sign up for an affordable plan. This week, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and I kicked off the annual Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period, which runs from November 1, 2023 through January 15, 2024.
Open enrollment gives Michiganders the chance to take advantage of savings that can help make insurance more affordable. In 2023, qualified enrollees, on average, saved more than $400 a month. During this open enrollment period, I encourage Michiganders to explore their options and find a low- or no-cost plan that meets their needs.
Last month, I signed bipartisan legislation enshrining cost-saving provisions of the Affordable Care Act into state law, including requirements for preventative care, protections for preexisting conditions, and allowing children to stay on their parents? plans until they turn 26. Let?s keep working together to build a healthier, happier Michigan.
Michiganders can shop for a health plan by visiting the?Health Insurance Marketplace?or by calling 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). New rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have streamlined the number of available plans to make it easier for Michiganders to take advantage of savings.
For questions about health coverage, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.?
In Other News
Gov. Whitmer Announces 140 New Jobs w/ Two Business Expansions in Genesee, Iosco, Ottawa Counties
Gov. Whitmer Joins the Grand Opening of the Second Avenue Bridge Over I-94 in Detroit
Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills to Lower Health Care Costs for Cancer Treatment, Keep Michiganders Safe, Other Legislation
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