July 21, 2021
Michigan House Democrats Put Politics Above Students
Lansing, Mich., July 21, 2021 – In an increasingly predictable move, Michigan House Democrats yet again voted against overriding Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s veto of an issue they unanimously supported. The issue in question would have provided $155 million in reading scholarships for students across the state, particularly in struggling communities. The Center Square reports:
“Eligible children would have had to be enrolled in kindergarten through 5th grade, be less than proficient in reading based on available assessment data, and the child would have had to apply for a reading scholarship through the grant program…
Whitmer wrote in her veto letter the bill “makes historic investments in Michigan’s kids without raising taxes” but gave no reason for slashing $155 million to fund COVID-19 learning loss recovery for low-income students, children with disabilities, and foster kids.”
This vote against Whitmer’s override is particularly stunning for Democrat representatives Breen, Shannon, Kolezar, Pohutsky, Morse, and Kuppa, who all represent moderate districts yet put the interests of politics and union bosses above Michigan’s students.
“Today, Michigan House Democrats chose to prioritize giving Governor Whitmer political cover over doing what is best for the people of Michigan,” said Eric Ventimiglia, executive director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “This cowardly move by House Democrats is a shameful display of partisanship that not only deals a blow to struggling students, but is a slap in the face to every Michigander counting on their elected officials to do the right thing.”