CANTON — State Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton) was reappointed to continue her service on the powerful House Appropriations Committee for a second term. Pagan will remain focused on education funding as a member of the newly combined School Aid and Department of Education Appropriations Subcommittee. She will also serve as the Democratic vice chairwoman to both the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and the Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee.
“I am grateful to have been reappointed to the House Appropriations Committee and am excited to continue the work that I started during my first term in office,” Pagan said. “I am ready to get to work on increasing school funding, creating incentives that raise wages for the average worker, and prioritizing our state budget to make sure that all Michigan families can get ahead.”
The School Aid and Department of Education Appropriations Subcommittee is responsible for school funding, public school operations and setting the budget for the Michigan Department of Education.
“What motivated me to run for office, and continues to drive me as your state representative, is being a strong voice for fully funding our schools and making sure that all children can live up to their full potential,” Pagan said. “When we do not invest in education, we leave all of Michigan’s children behind. As I begin my second term, my top priority will continue to be making Michigan a top-10 education state and putting an end to underfunding public education. We must also invest in early childhood education programs and comprehensive child care for families who need it most.”
As the Democratic vice chairwoman to both the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and the Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Pagan will be helping craft the budget for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the budget for the judicial branch of state government. The DNR is committed to the protecting and managing Michigan’s unique pristine natural landscape. The Judiciary budget allocates spending for the state’s judicial branch, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, trial court operations, defense and civil legal assistance, and other areas.
“Protecting Michigan’s most precious natural resources and standing up for equality and justice, especially when it comes to our judicial system, are priorities that not only I share, but the people of Michigan share,” Pagan said. “It is crucial that we make sure these departments are funded adequately and appropriately and that no taxpayer dollar goes to waste.”