Michigan is less than a month from the statutory July 1 target for finalizing a balanced budget, and schools need certainty and predictability in an education budget that is delivered on time, as opposed to last year’s spending plan that came over three months late.
In addition, a recent House tax proposal makes a massive cut to school revenue, which could eliminate over $3.2 billion in school funding next year alone, with no identified replacement.
Instead, Michigan schools, educators and families deserve a budget that:
- Passes by June 30, so that schools can responsibly prepare for the next school year
- Provides additional resources for lower-income students in mostly rural and urban areas
- Gradually phases in a weighted funding formula
- Expresses clear intent to adopt the Michigan Blueprint for special education funding
- Includes major investments to improve student literacy
There is no excuse for ignoring yet another budget deadline this year. Instead, lawmakers should focus on coming together to give our students — no matter where they live —an education budget that invests in their success for the coming school year and beyond.
Please help us put the pressure on our legislators and administration to get a fully funded education budget done on time this year!