Governor Whitmer Kicks Off 10 Days of 2021 Accomplishments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 21, 2021 

Contact: press@michigan.gov 

Governor Whitmer Kicks Off 10 Days of 2021 Accomplishments 

Governor Whitmer counts down to 2022 by highlighting administration's progress on 10 kitchen-table issues that makes a difference in people's lives 

LANSING, Mich. - The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration will begin counting down the last 10 days of 2021 by celebrating Michigan's accomplishments over the past year. The state has delivered real change on the kitchen-table issues that made a difference in people's lives. Today, the governor and lieutenant governor are setting the stage for all 10 days by highlighting some key numbers and gearing up for a new year and new opportunities focused on growing the economy, creating good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for Michiganders. 

"Since I took office, I have been laser-focused on the kitchen-table, fundamental issues: childcare, K-12 education, skills training and post-secondary education, water, infrastructure, and good-paying jobs," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "We faced a once-in-a-century pandemic and because our effective management of COVID-19, Michigan's economy is emerging stronger than ever. We have a $3.5 billion surplus, up from a projected $3 billion deficit, billions in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan, and an unprecedented opportunity to deliver real change that makes a difference in people's lives. I will work with anyone, for everyone, as we usher in a new era of prosperity for families, communities, and small businesses. As we finish our third year, I remain laser-focused on growing Michigan's economy, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families by making investments that will deliver real change." 

"Throughout 2021, Governor Whitmer and I put Michiganders first and put in place programs and investments that positioned working Michigan families and communities for success," said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "We promoted the safe and effective vaccines to protect Michigan from COVID-19. We enacted historic state budgets that closed the school-funding gap, expanded eligibility for low-cost childcare, funded transformational infrastructure investments across our state, and put Michiganders on a tuition-free path to better paying jobs. As we head into 2022, Governor Whitmer and I remain focused on fundamental issues that make a difference in people's lives. We will work hard, in every city and community in Michigan, to continue expanding access to high-speed, high-quality internet access; affordable housing, education, and training; childcare, healthcare, good-paying jobs, and clean water." 

10 DAYS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Every day for the next ten days, December 22 through December 31, the administration will highlight progress in key issue areas and results delivered for Michiganders.  

• Day 1: Roads & Bridges 
• Day 2: Education & Skills 
• Day 3: Public Safety & Criminal Justice 
• Day 4: Delivering for Older Michiganders 
• Day 5: Water, Environment, Climate 

• Day 6: Supporting Small Businesses 
• Day 7: Early Learning & Childcare 
• Day 8: Expanding High-Speed Internet 
• Day 9: Supporting Veterans 
• Day 10: Building the Future of Mobility 

KEY NUMBERS 

• GDP: Michigan had the best 2021 Q2 GDP growth in the Midwest and third-highest in the U.S.   
• Surplus: Michigan turned a projected $3 billion deficit into a $3.5 billion surplus   
• Roads: In three years, Michigan has invested nearly $4.75 billion to repair, replace, or rehabilitate 13,198 lane miles 

• Vaccines: 70%+ of Michiganders 16 and up have gotten their safe, effective COVID vaccine   
• Education: closed the funding gap between schools in Michigan   
• Workforce: put 170,000 and Michiganders and counting on a tuition-free path to higher education or skills training through Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners    
• Bridges: repaired, replaced, or rehabilitated 903 bridges since taking office 
• Childcare: expanded low or no-cost childcare to 105,000 kids   

• Rainy Day: put $500 million, the most ever, into Michigan's rainy day fund   
• Refunds: Michigan will give every driver $400 per vehicle by Q2 of 2022   
• Auto Jobs: In three years, Michigan has created over 16,000 auto jobs and counting    
• Jobs: Michigan's economy added 145,000 jobs this year, including 67,000 in the last three months 

LOOKING AHEAD 

In 2022, the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration will stay laser-focused on growing the economy, creating good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families. To advance those goals and usher in a new era of prosperity for Michigan, the administration will work with the legislature, local communities, and citizens to effectively utilize billions in federal dollars under the American Rescue Plan and billions the state is expected to receive under the newly enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GOALS 

The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration's focus on the economy is driving the state towards bold, long-term economic goals: 

• Grow the middle class and?lift 1 million families out of working poverty 
• Meet the?Sixty by 30?goal of having 60% of working-age Michiganders earn a postsecondary education or skills certificate by 2030 
• Become a?top-ten state?for small business growth, revenue growth and venture capital funding in five years 
• Build?75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units 
• Continue to grow household income 

• Ensure 100% access to?high-speed internet?in five years? 

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