LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is boasting about the state’s newly signed $82.5 billion budget, calling it “balanced” and claiming it doesn’t raise taxes. However, the GOP and some in the education field said the $300 million in cuts to education leaves students and teachers out in the cold.
“Together, we will hire, train, and retain more first responders, keep fixing the damn roads, compete to bring manufacturing plants back home, put workers on paths to better-paying jobs, and build a heck of a lot more housing. Let’s keep getting things done that make a real difference in people’s lives and ensuring everyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
However, those who may not be able to “make it in Michigan” include students and educators. Whitmer and her Democrat party have long held the allegiance of the teachers’ unions and administrators, but that could change given the recent push to axe $300 million from the school budget and leave it with $23.4 million. That remaining amount may still sound like a lot of money, but the crux of the pushback comes from the cut to school safety measures and mental health assistance.
In addition, it raids the teacher pension fund and does not increase the per pupil fund for the first time in years.
Instead, the school budget promotes pet projects of Whitmer, including “free” (taxpayer funded) breakfast and lunch for K-12 students along with “free” community college.
State Rep. David Martin (R-Davison) blasted the Gov. Whitmer earlier this week, saying her “decision to stage a photo opportunity in Flint while signing a new education budget that contains devastating cuts to the local community” struck him as confusing.
“These cuts deal a devastating blow to schools in Genesee County and throughout Michigan,” Martin said. “Schools cannot function properly without adequate funding for safety and mental health. These budget cuts recklessly and unnecessarily put our children at risk.”
The Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madaferri said she hopes state lawmakers will return after the summer to pass a supplemental budget that funds what she calls “critical” student health and safety priorities.
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“There were deep cuts to categorical funding for school safety and student mental health — cuts that will need to be navigated at the local level to keep our schools safe learning spaces for all students and employees,” Madaferri said. “Without additional funding through a supplemental budget, our state risks falling short of providing the quality public education that every student deserves and needs.”
State Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) pointed out how the lack of a per pupil funding increase makes it difficult for districts to make ends meet because of increasing costs. “With one signature, the governor left kids across Northeast Michigan less safe and without critical mental health resources,” said Cavitt. “Democrats will stop at nothing to bankroll their radical agenda. Our teachers will suffer. Our kids are going to suffer.”
Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford) called the spending plan “misshapen” and said, “I voted against the budget because I’m focused on helping kids learn, supporting good teachers, and keeping students and staff safe.” Colleague Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion Township) pointed out that, “The cut to the school safety funding will devastate a program local school districts rely on to hire school resource officers and counselors, heighten security measures, and expand mental health programming.” She added that school leaders mentioned the massive reduction will lead to layoffs and program cuts.
The new budget goes into effect on Oct. 1.
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