LANSING, Mich., June 13, 2025 — Michigan House Republicans passed their K-12 education budget that massively cuts categorical spending — which is funding set aside for specific purposes — including eliminating funding for school meals. Currently, that money provides universal school breakfast and lunch for all pre-K through grade 12 students in public schools. After House Republicans passed their reckless school budget, House Bill 4577, state Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens) issued the following statement:
“The universal school meals program — the one Michigan Republicans want to cut — has overwhelming support from families, teachers and school districts across the state. No student should have to worry about whether they can afford their lunch that day or suffer the shame of realizing they cannot.
“If House Republicans were truly worried about the health and education of our students, then they would not defund school meals. Lawmakers cannot complain about literacy scores or learning outcomes and then vote to cut funding for school breakfast and lunch — no student can learn on an empty stomach. Countless vulnerable children rely on these meals, oftentimes as their primary source of nutrition. We cannot let our kids down. We need to be providing kids with full stomachs so they can learn at their full potential.”
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