ANN ARBOR – State Representative Adam F. Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) was selected to serve as Democratic vice chairman of the critical House Education Committee yesterday. He will continue his service from last term on the powerful House Appropriations Committee as well, sitting on the subcommittee on the School Aid Fund and serving as Democratic vice chairman of the subcommittee on Capital Outlay. With these committee responsibilities, he will be a connection point for sound education policy and providing adequate funding to make policies successful.
“Education is our number one form of economic development; no one can deny that,” said Zemke. “In a world where Michigan workers have to compete globally, ensuring we have the best educated workforce is critical for high employment and economic competitiveness.”
Last year, Zemke worked with now state Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R-Portage) on establishing better support structures for evaluating teachers and administrators. Their widely praised bipartisan work received the backing of groups across the education policy spectrum, from the conservative Great Lakes Education Project to the Michigan Education Association. Zemke has also been a vocal voice for improving funding for education at all levels; obtaining financial resources to fund the Michigan STEM grant program and to create the Michigan GED-to-School program that makes GED testing free.
“A great education is not only an investment in our children’s futures – it is an investment in all of ours,” continued Zemke. “I will work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to create and fund policies so every child, whether they live in Ann Arbor, Detroit or Escanaba, can receive the highest quality education.”