LANSING — Gov. Whitmer outlined her 2019-20 fiscal year budget proposal for a joint session of the House and Senate Appropriations committees. In response, David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids) issued the following statement:

“The increase in funding for schools, especially pre-K programs, is long overdue. Our past state budgets have left our children without the resources they needed to succeed, so I am pleased that Gov. Whitmer signaled she will be a strong advocate for our children and our schools with this proposed funding increase. We have an opportunity to make our schools—and our students—some of the best in the nation. Now it’s time to get to work.”