LANSING, Mich., Feb. 9, 2022 — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled her priorities for the fiscal year 2023 state budget. In a presentation to both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Budget Director Chris Harkins outlined the governor’s plans on a number of critical issues. The governor continued to stress much-need investments in our educational system and critical infrastructure across the state. In response, state Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) issued the following statement:
“I’m glad to see the governor offer her support for teachers and other essential workers. Raising their pay is the least we can do for all that they’ve sacrificed over the pandemic. However, for educators, it’s more than that: If we don’t take steps to address the teacher shortage now, larger class sizes and the overworking of our teachers will continue to take away from the quality of our children’s education. Our teachers need our help, and it’s our duty as legislators to provide relief as they face rising costs and the loss of more and more coworkers.”