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State Rep. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City), stands with supporters at bill signing at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Dec. 18, 2023.
GARDEN CITY, Mich., Dec. 18, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Witmer signed House Bill 4292, today. The bill provides funding to forgive the debt of several school districts, including the now-defunct Inkster Public Schools. The school district was closed in 2013 under former Gov. Rick Synder’s appointed emergency manager. This legislation will save residents money by forgiving more than $12 million in debt that the community is now covering. Following the signing of this bill, state Rep. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) issued the following statement:
“This is a huge win for the people of Inkster and all of the surrounding communities. We will be fixing the historic wrong that Inkster Public Schools represented. The echoes of the past racial and economic class segregation in our community are still felt today through the debt of the defunct district and by the continued taxation of those who live in its former boundaries. By forgiving this debt, we are atoning for the decades of segregation that affected this community while also saving residents money. Additionally, we will also be able to ensure that more money goes to our schools and not to paying off the debt.”
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