LANSING – State Representative Gabe Leland (D-Detroit) today blasted Republicans for proposing to take money from the School Aid Fund – an unprecedented act – and slash $20 from per-pupil funding in a wrong-headed strategy to balance the budget this year.
"We cannot make our children pay the price so the Republicans can balance the budget," Leland said. "Every cent in the School Aid Fund should be spent on all of our students in kindergarten through twelfth grades. Schools shouldn't have to compete for dollars that is already theirs. We should be spending more money on educating our children, not taking it away."
House Republicans want to take $20 from each student in Michigan public schools to pay for other items. The plan will cost a total of $34 million that Republicans want to take from the School Aid Fund, which is dedicated to funding for K-12 students. Under the Republican plan, Detroit Public Schools would lose more than $2.2 million.
"The Republicans actions are irresponsible," Leland said. "We need every dollar in the School Aid Fund to prepare our children for the high-tech, good-paying jobs of the future. It's time for a change in the right direction. In these tough economic times, every dollar is needed to strengthen education."