Rep. Regina Weiss2025-03-13T12:13:55-04:00

State Representative

Regina Weiss

Oak Park | 5th House District
Serving 90,105 constituents in NW Detroit, Oak Park, and all of Royal Oak Township

ReginaWeiss@house.mi.gov
(517) 373-0844
Office: S-589 House Office Building

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Regina Weiss

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Today House Republicans adopted a resolution to support the dismantling of the Federal Department of Education. The loss of the Department of Education will hurt our students and their families and I spoke against this resolution on the House Floor. ... See MoreSee Less

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thank you for speaking up and supporting education.

Knock it off, State Representative Regina Weiss!! The Department of Education does not educate a single child in America. It does not run a single school. It does not pay a single teacher salary. Some people are concerned about eliminating the department and what it would mean for students, despite the fact that they have a terrible track record. It has not improved outcomes. What about protections for kids with special needs. We should note that the education for all handicap children act was was signed into law in 1975. It provides protections for kids with special needs. It predates the creation of the department. That will go nowhere. Spending for the individuals with disabilities education act, that idea would move over to HHS. That would go nowhere. The same would likely happen with Title 1 spending for low income districts. It could be managed by HHS. Data collection? Send it over to Commerce. Let the census bureau handle it. Student Loans? Send it to the Small Business Administration or the Treasury Department. So there are more appropriate receiving agencies where you could keep intact some of the appropriate functions of the department, but not actually have the infrastructure that is that massive bureaucratic boondoggle that Carter created. The most concerning data point in all of that is that, if you go back a little prior to the DOE being created in 1965, when Lyndon Johnson launched the war on poverty, there was a gap of about four years worth of learning between the students from the lowest income, bottom 10% and the top 10% by income. So that is the 90/10 gap. The difference between poor kids and rich kids was four year worth of learning in 1965. Today, it is four years worth of learning. We have not narrowed the gap at all. That was the whole point of the war on poverty. A third of which, Johnson said, would be fought in the classrooms of America. If the whole point was to narrow that gap - it did not happen. Creation of the DOE did not narrow that gap. Ever increasing Federal spending did not narrow that gap. No child left behind did not narrow that gap. NOTHING the Feds have tried to do over the decades had any impact on improving academic outcomes for students. So what have we gotten? A LOT of administrative bloat! We now are in an environment where just 47.5% of all people in school districts are teachers today. I would argue a lot of that is a reaction to having a federal agency, to having to comply with all of these federal mandates and regulations. We have gotten a lot of bureaucratic swell! We gotten a centralized agency for special interest groups like the teacher unions to lobby and unfortunately, bad outcomes for students and tax payers.

No it will not hurt students. The unions, maybe, but not the students.

Chag Purim Sameach! Wishing all who celebrate a joyous holiday loaded with laughter, unity, and plenty of hamantaschen! ... See MoreSee Less

Chag Purim Sameach! Wishing all who celebrate a joyous holiday loaded with laughter, unity, and plenty of hamantaschen!

Happy 313 Day! Take some time today to learn about and celebrate Michigan's largest city. ... See MoreSee Less

Watch my conversation with 482Forward to learn more about the dangerous MI House Republican plan that they passed yesterday to defund public education by 5 billion dollars ... See MoreSee Less

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

Which dem voted for this?

Why in the world did a Democrat vote for this? That's very depressing.

So talk about the state of Michigan and what a crappy job our schools are doing. We are in the bottom 10 states. How about that!!

Today, we were blindsided when we came to session and found out, just a few minutes before we had to vote, that House Republicans were putting up their plan to defund public education and critical programs we all rely on.

So, what does their budget do?

❌ Eliminates over 5 BILLION dollars for schools
❌ Eliminates funding for school meals, which will cost families more and force some kids to go hu
... See MoreSee Less

Today, we were blindsided when we came to session and found out, just a few minutes before we had to vote, that House Republicans were putting up their plan to defund public education and critical programs we all rely on. 

So, what does their budget do? 

❌ Eliminates over 5 BILLION dollars for schools 
❌ Eliminates funding for school meals, which will cost families more and force some kids to go hungry
❌ Eliminates 1 BILLION dollars for at-risk students, critical funding that supports students who are in poverty, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or who just need additional supports 
❌ Eliminates funding for school transportation, CTE, pre-k, higher ed and community college, rural and isolated districts, before and after school programs, and so much more. 
❌ Eliminates 1.7 BILLION in federal funds for schools, money that we pay in our taxes here in Michigan, leaving those dollars in DC instead of bringing them home for our kids. 

This is a dangerous proposal that every house Republican present today voted for. Michigan House Democrats stand in opposition to these reckless cuts and ready to negotiate with serious people who are serious about governing--looking at you Michigan Senate Democrats

10 CommentsComment on Facebook

And what is the name of this bill? That way I can look up the actual information

Thank you for voting against the proposed budget. As a Michigan educator, I see first hand how those funds impact our students and how crucial they are. In addition, my building houses 1, and soon to be 2, categorical classrooms where those funds are well spent serving not only the kids in those classrooms but the entire building by creating safety and inclusion for all. I've contacted my rep voicing my disgust in this budget but Shriver does not listen to reason or his constituents. Please keep fighting the good fight! I'm rooting for you!

Thanks for sharing. Anything we can do?

View more comments

Public schools shape our future. This week, we celebrate our educators, staff, and advocates working tirelessly to guarantee every child has access to a quality education. #PSW25 ... See MoreSee Less

Public schools shape our future. This week, we celebrate our educators, staff, and advocates working tirelessly to guarantee every child has access to a quality education. #PSW25

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Why aren’t the reading and math scores higher? You never answer a question.

Grief and remembrance take numerous forms. However you are feeling today, know that you're not alone. We honor the lives we lost and the strength of those who carry their memory onwards. 💚 #spartanstogether ... See MoreSee Less

Grief and remembrance take numerous forms. However you are feeling today, know that youre not alone. We honor the lives we lost and the strength of those who carry their memory onwards. 💚 #spartanstogether
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Stay Connected with

Regina Weiss

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Today House Republicans adopted a resolution to support the dismantling of the Federal Department of Education. The loss of the Department of Education will hurt our students and their families and I spoke against this resolution on the House Floor. ... See MoreSee Less

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thank you for speaking up and supporting education.

Knock it off, State Representative Regina Weiss!! The Department of Education does not educate a single child in America. It does not run a single school. It does not pay a single teacher salary. Some people are concerned about eliminating the department and what it would mean for students, despite the fact that they have a terrible track record. It has not improved outcomes. What about protections for kids with special needs. We should note that the education for all handicap children act was was signed into law in 1975. It provides protections for kids with special needs. It predates the creation of the department. That will go nowhere. Spending for the individuals with disabilities education act, that idea would move over to HHS. That would go nowhere. The same would likely happen with Title 1 spending for low income districts. It could be managed by HHS. Data collection? Send it over to Commerce. Let the census bureau handle it. Student Loans? Send it to the Small Business Administration or the Treasury Department. So there are more appropriate receiving agencies where you could keep intact some of the appropriate functions of the department, but not actually have the infrastructure that is that massive bureaucratic boondoggle that Carter created. The most concerning data point in all of that is that, if you go back a little prior to the DOE being created in 1965, when Lyndon Johnson launched the war on poverty, there was a gap of about four years worth of learning between the students from the lowest income, bottom 10% and the top 10% by income. So that is the 90/10 gap. The difference between poor kids and rich kids was four year worth of learning in 1965. Today, it is four years worth of learning. We have not narrowed the gap at all. That was the whole point of the war on poverty. A third of which, Johnson said, would be fought in the classrooms of America. If the whole point was to narrow that gap - it did not happen. Creation of the DOE did not narrow that gap. Ever increasing Federal spending did not narrow that gap. No child left behind did not narrow that gap. NOTHING the Feds have tried to do over the decades had any impact on improving academic outcomes for students. So what have we gotten? A LOT of administrative bloat! We now are in an environment where just 47.5% of all people in school districts are teachers today. I would argue a lot of that is a reaction to having a federal agency, to having to comply with all of these federal mandates and regulations. We have gotten a lot of bureaucratic swell! We gotten a centralized agency for special interest groups like the teacher unions to lobby and unfortunately, bad outcomes for students and tax payers.

No it will not hurt students. The unions, maybe, but not the students.

Chag Purim Sameach! Wishing all who celebrate a joyous holiday loaded with laughter, unity, and plenty of hamantaschen! ... See MoreSee Less

Chag Purim Sameach! Wishing all who celebrate a joyous holiday loaded with laughter, unity, and plenty of hamantaschen!

Happy 313 Day! Take some time today to learn about and celebrate Michigan's largest city. ... See MoreSee Less

Watch my conversation with 482Forward to learn more about the dangerous MI House Republican plan that they passed yesterday to defund public education by 5 billion dollars ... See MoreSee Less

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

Which dem voted for this?

Why in the world did a Democrat vote for this? That's very depressing.

So talk about the state of Michigan and what a crappy job our schools are doing. We are in the bottom 10 states. How about that!!

Today, we were blindsided when we came to session and found out, just a few minutes before we had to vote, that House Republicans were putting up their plan to defund public education and critical programs we all rely on.

So, what does their budget do?

❌ Eliminates over 5 BILLION dollars for schools
❌ Eliminates funding for school meals, which will cost families more and force some kids to go hu
... See MoreSee Less

Today, we were blindsided when we came to session and found out, just a few minutes before we had to vote, that House Republicans were putting up their plan to defund public education and critical programs we all rely on. 

So, what does their budget do? 

❌ Eliminates over 5 BILLION dollars for schools 
❌ Eliminates funding for school meals, which will cost families more and force some kids to go hungry
❌ Eliminates 1 BILLION dollars for at-risk students, critical funding that supports students who are in poverty, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or who just need additional supports 
❌ Eliminates funding for school transportation, CTE, pre-k, higher ed and community college, rural and isolated districts, before and after school programs, and so much more. 
❌ Eliminates 1.7 BILLION in federal funds for schools, money that we pay in our taxes here in Michigan, leaving those dollars in DC instead of bringing them home for our kids. 

This is a dangerous proposal that every house Republican present today voted for. Michigan House Democrats stand in opposition to these reckless cuts and ready to negotiate with serious people who are serious about governing--looking at you Michigan Senate Democrats

10 CommentsComment on Facebook

And what is the name of this bill? That way I can look up the actual information

Thank you for voting against the proposed budget. As a Michigan educator, I see first hand how those funds impact our students and how crucial they are. In addition, my building houses 1, and soon to be 2, categorical classrooms where those funds are well spent serving not only the kids in those classrooms but the entire building by creating safety and inclusion for all. I've contacted my rep voicing my disgust in this budget but Shriver does not listen to reason or his constituents. Please keep fighting the good fight! I'm rooting for you!

Thanks for sharing. Anything we can do?

View more comments

Public schools shape our future. This week, we celebrate our educators, staff, and advocates working tirelessly to guarantee every child has access to a quality education. #PSW25 ... See MoreSee Less

Public schools shape our future. This week, we celebrate our educators, staff, and advocates working tirelessly to guarantee every child has access to a quality education. #PSW25

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Why aren’t the reading and math scores higher? You never answer a question.

Grief and remembrance take numerous forms. However you are feeling today, know that you're not alone. We honor the lives we lost and the strength of those who carry their memory onwards. 💚 #spartanstogether ... See MoreSee Less

Grief and remembrance take numerous forms. However you are feeling today, know that youre not alone. We honor the lives we lost and the strength of those who carry their memory onwards. 💚 #spartanstogether
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