LANSING – State Representative Douglas Geiss (D-Taylor) today called on the Senate to join in protecting local schools by returning to the bargaining table to restore education funding. The lawmaker warned that additional cuts announced this week are too deep and will prevent the state from moving forward.
"These deep cuts to schools should serve as a wake-up call to the Senate that just saying 'no' to revenues is not going to prepare our kids for the future or create a single job," Geiss said. "We've cut $2 billion from the budget this year and we've made tough reforms, but slashing education funding is not the answer. It's time for the Senate to come to the table and restore funding to education."
On Thursday, the Governor ordered $212 million in school funding cuts – $127 per-pupil – just days after 20j schools across the state, including Romulus Community Schools, were hit with $52 million in cuts as part of her veto to sections of the School Aid Budget, which already included a $165 per-pupil cut.
Geiss and his House Democratic colleagues called on the Senate to return to negotiations and agree to targeted revenues to fund priorities such as education. Earlier this month, House Democrats proposed creating the Michigan Future Fund that would be used exclusively for priorities that are essential for Michigan's economic turnaround such as police and fire protection, education, Promise Scholarships, and health care for kids and seniors.
Since 2003, lawmakers have reduced government spending by $6 billion. In addition to those cuts, House Democrats have already voted to cut lawmakers' pay – including their own – by 10 percent. They also cut $1.7 million from the House budget by reducing all legislators' budgets and requiring staff to pay more for health care.
"Making these additional devastating cuts to education simply goes too far," Geiss said. "Our students are the workers of tomorrow and to help turn our economy around, we need to do everything we can to make sure they get a top-notch education. There is absolutely no reason that the Legislature cannot come to an agreement and restore this vital education funding. Our children – who are the future of this great state – deserve better."