LANSING, Mich., June 13, 2025 — House Democrats introduced their vision for the School Aid budget this week during a publicly accessible press conference, in an effort to jumpstart negotiations ahead of the July 1 statutory deadline for the budget’s completion. Under pressure from House Dems, House Republicans finally put out a second try at their own school budget. Republicans continue to propose cuts to the crucial programs and services that students, teachers and schools rely on — including free breakfast and lunch, special education, support for at-risk students, mental health and school safety, school district transportation costs and much more. The House Dems’ investment plan would fund all these areas, investing in a successful future for every child and evening the playing field across school districts.
State Rep. Reggie Miller (Van Buren Twp.) introduced a substitute that would fully fund free breakfast and lunch for kids in Michigan’s schools, but House Republicans did not take it up. After voting against the Republican bills that defund critical categorical school investments, Miller issued the following statement:
“Michigan’s students, teachers, school communities and families need state investments that support a quality education for all — not one that devastates the services they depend on. The Republican school budget plan completely eliminates universal school breakfasts and lunches; defunds school safety, mental health and special education programs; and slashes the transportation funding that our rural districts rely on. I will not support a budget that sends kids to class hungry and leaves rural students high and dry. I’ve worked with my Democratic colleagues to put a plan on the table that puts student wellbeing, safety and learning first, and I urge my colleagues across the aisle to take a seat at the negotiating table to get a better plan passed for our kids and communities.”
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