LANSING – Macomb County lawmakers today criticized the latest political maneuverings between Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) and the Governor that have led to another proposed cut to education and community schools. The legislators said the time for political brinkmanship has long passed and it is time for both parties to work together to protect schools, kids and our future.
"Our kids' education is too important to be used as a political pawn in a budget standoff between the Senate Majority Leader and the Governor," said State Representative Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores), whose South Lake Schools will lose more than $595,000. "It's long past time for Lansing to put partisanship and politicking aside and instead focus on turning our state around and balancing the budget."
As budget negotiations continue to drag on past the Oct. 1 deadline, Bishop has delayed sending the Governor all the departmental budgets until today, while the Governor is vetoing funding for the schools in order to get the Senate to come to the bargaining table.
"These embarrassing, drawn-out budget negotiations are proof that Lansing is broken and needs an overhaul," said State Representative Jon Switalski (D-Warren), whose Warren Consolidated Schools will lose $3.69 million due to the veto. "We must reform government so that our students come first in Lansing. Politicians should not be engaging in political antics that hold the entire state hostage at a time when Michigan desperately needs to move forward – that's not putting the people first. It's clear that things in Lansing need to change."
As part of the Governor's veto, so-called 20j schools across the state would face $52 million in cuts. Those cuts come on top of the $165 per pupil cut already included in the School Aid Budget.
Warren Woods Public Schools in Macomb County also stand to lose nearly $860,000 as a result of the Governor's veto to parts of the School Aid Budget on Monday
"Our kids' education should not be used as a bargaining tool in political games," said State Representative Lesia Liss (D-Warren), whose Center Line Public Schools will lose nearly $575,000 due to the veto. "In order to turn Michigan's economy around, we need a top-notch 20th century workforce. Our current students are the key to attracting the next generation of businesses, and we must ensure that they are prepared for the high-demand jobs that will put Michigan back on the right track."