LANSING, Mich., Oct. 3, 2025 — The Michigan Legislature passed the final FY 2025-26 General and School Aid budgets. State Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) voted for a bipartisan general budget that reflects Michigan’s priorities, but stood strong for schools by opposing a School Aid budget that fails to deliver what Weiss believes Michigan students deserve. After the vote, Weiss issued the following statement:
“Voting no on a final school aid budget is not something I have ever done and not something I take lightly. However, due to the process with which this budget was developed and the fact that we were not able to review final decisions and boilerplate until after a conference report was adopted and no further changes could be made, I was compelled to vote no. Large structural issues that will impact districts, due to the fact that this budget will be enacted mid-school/fiscal year, will have immediate and damaging effects.
“The consequences of this budget could include the elimination of critical funding to support school safety and mental health needs as well as the elimination of critical positions. Additionally, this budget diverts an additional $400 million from the School Aid Fund to higher education, reducing overall funding to K-12 education. This budget also increases payroll costs to districts by $100 million. I am deeply concerned that future budgets will continue to shift more School Aid Fund dollars to higher ed in order to free up the general fund to make up for irresponsible federal and state reductions to revenue. I will not support this harmful practice and am committed to continuing my work to bring real relief to Michigan schools.”
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