Whitmer greenlights $24.3B education budget for Michigan.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen⁢ Whitmer Signs $24.3 Billion‌ Education ‌Budget

Michigan Gov. ​Gretchen Whitmer has signed a $24.3 billion education budget for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1. However, state House Republicans have criticized the ⁤budget, claiming it involves wasteful spending.

The new budget aims ‌to increase per-pupil ⁣spending, ‍with a 5 percent raise in the foundation allowance. This will bring the per-pupil funding to $9,608, the highest in the state’s history, according to the governor.

Speaking at a bill⁢ signing ceremony ⁤in Suttons Bay, Gov. Whitmer emphasized that the⁤ budget prioritizes educational equity.

“We know that potential is universal, but opportunity is not. And when we make investments in the education ⁢of our kids, we’re creating opportunity for all,” she said.

The budget also includes ‌$160 million to​ provide free breakfast and⁢ lunch to approximately 1.4 million PreK-12 ‌students. This​ initiative aims to ease financial burdens ⁣for families and ‍enhance student focus during the school⁣ day.

Furthermore, the budget⁤ allocates $13.3 million ⁣to achieve ⁢a 50‍ percent increase in funding for English language learners at the pre-K education level. It ​also designates $10 million to ‌support critical incident mapping at community colleges ⁤and public universities, enhancing campus ‍safety.

State Sen. Darrin Camilleri, ⁢the bill’s sponsor, expressed his satisfaction with the budget, stating⁢ that it is ⁤what “our students, families, and educators have⁢ been waiting for.”

Additionally, the state-funded pre-K program will be ‌expanded to include families below 300 percent ⁣of the federal poverty guidelines, which means a ‍family of four making $90,000⁣ a year will now​ be⁤ eligible. This expansion is expected⁢ to provide free ​preschool access to 5,600‌ more children ‍starting this fall.

“Every Michigan child⁣ deserves a chance to pursue ⁢their potential and⁣ build a bright future. This historic education budget⁢ will ‍make that‍ possible,”‍ Gov. Whitmer said in a statement.

“This budget⁣ puts students first and‌ supports parents by expanding access‍ to ⁤free pre-K, providing free breakfast⁢ and lunch to all public‌ school ⁣students,⁣ and improving higher education.”

Gov. Whitmer’s ambitious plan includes providing free preschool ​for all families in ‍Michigan by the end of her second term, ⁤which she believes will result​ in significant savings for families and contribute to a more ​equitable society.

Republicans Criticize

State House Minority Leader Matt Hall criticized the budget ⁤in an official statement, arguing that Democrats⁤ prioritized pet projects‌ over students’ academics.

“Michigan⁢ children who’ve struggled to​ learn to read‌ won’t get much comfort from⁤ the‍ fact that Democrats ​put pet ​projects—powered by a tax ‍hike—over ‌students’ academics,” Mr.‍ Hall ⁢said in a statement.