Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we near the end of August and the start of back-to-school season, I wish everyone a smooth start to this upcoming school year. Whether you are a parent preparing your kids for their first day or a college student embarking on your higher education journey, this is an exciting time, and I want to make sure you and your family have the resources you need to make this a successful year. As Chair of the Appropriations Committee for the last two years, I have worked to support the hardworking students, teachers and staff in our district’s schools. In this issue, you can learn about recent back-to-school legislative wins for our community, plus resources to help families during this time of year.
I encourage you to reach out to me and my staff with any questions, comments or concerns you may have regarding our community or state and with any policy ideas. Please do not hesitate to reach out by phone at (517) 373-0822 or send an email to AngelaWitwer@house.mi.gov.
Sincerely,
Angela Witwer
State Representative, 76th House District
Legislative Update:
Participated in Lowering Higher Education Costs with Lt. Gov Gilchrist
I recently joined Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, State Senator Sarah Anthony, Director of MiLEAP Dr. Beverly and the faculty and students of Wayne County Community College for a Lowering Higher Education Costs event. At this event, we celebrated the continued investments we’re making into Michigan’s students and higher education institutions through programs like Michigan Reconnect and the Tuition Incentive Program. Our smart school aid budget puts students first, without raising taxes. We are working hard to keep the door of opportunity open for every student across the state.
Participated in K-12 Education Budget Signing
Last month, I joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and some of my colleagues in the House and the Senate in Flint for the signing into law of the K-12 education budget. This education budget proves that when we listen to our students, families and teachers, we can deliver smart, innovative investments that support every Michigan student’s education. From guaranteeing affordable college for every student to expanding Michigan’s pre-K program, it was an honor to work on a budget that uplifts our students every step of the way. As the future of our state’s workforce, our students do a lot for Michigan. Today, we’re giving back to them by putting their education first.
I am committed to bringing home funding for our youngest Michiganders and ensuring our hometown schools have the tools needed to help students thrive.
Education Budget Highlights:
FY25 Statewide K-12 Education
- $589 million spread across districts, ISDs, libraries and community colleges to offset retirement costs. This saves K-12 districts the equivalent of more than $400 per pupil, equivalent to a 4.2% foundation allowance increase.
- $133 million, including $25 million in new funding, to continue historic investments for student mental health and school safety needs.
- $181 million to help students reach their full academic potential, including the continuation of payments for literacy grants and literacy coaches.
- $200 million to continue providing free breakfast and lunch to Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students, helping students focus on learning and saving families $850 per year.
- $130 million for the continued expansion of free pre-K to every 4-year-old in Michigan—two years ahead of schedule—saving families $10,000 a year.
- $18 million to continue higher payments for student transportation, amounting to a total of $28 million in funding.
- Continued support of the MI Future Educator Program, a tuition-free program for college students to become certified teachers that also provides stipend payments to student teachers.
- $97 million in funding to support academically at-risk students (9% increase), English language learners (26% increase), career and technical education students (6% increase) and students in rural school districts (6% increase).
- $125 million to continue reimbursements to districts for transportation costs, helping ease the disproportionate financial impact some districts face—freeing up dollars available for the classroom.
- $75 million to support students through before- and after-school programming.
- $65 million to fund a 15% rate increase for child care and bonuses for child care workers.
FY25 Statewide Higher Education & Workforce Development
- A 1.5% ongoing and a 1% one-time increase for university and community college operations to support higher education learning and to advance the governor’s goal of 60% of working adults earning a degree or skills certificate by 2030.
- $30 million investment to increase funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, the state’s flagship scholarship program, providing a pathway to community college, tuition guaranteed.
- $52 million to continue Michigan Reconnect, providing a tuition-free pathway to adult learners 25 and older.
- $20 million increase in the Tuition Incentive Program, which provides tuition support to lower income students in Michigan’s community colleges, public universities, and private universities.
- $14.5 million for the North American Indian Tuition Waiver, to provide tuition-free education to eligible Native Americans at Michigan public universities and community colleges.
FY24 Budget Highlights for Eaton County
- Eaton Rapids Teen Center: $3 million
- Waverly High School Auditorium: $3 million
Resources:
- Interested in learning more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship? Students and families are encouraged to register for one of our informational sessions ➡️ https://bit.ly/3wfrMxW
- The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) provides tuition assistance for eligible Medicaid recipients. Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3xYE5Qq
- University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is providing Mobile Health Clinics to help kids prepare to go back to school. The clinics are staffed by physicians from the UM Health-Sparrow Family. Medicine Residency Clinic and nurses from the Population Health Department. The team offers a variety of services to our patients including various health screenings, immunizations, physician visits and patient education.
- Visit this link to find a clinic near you: https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/um-health-sparrow-community-health/mobile-clinics
- Michigan Reconnect: The application takes less than five minutes to complete and can be done on a mobile phone. If you are having difficulties on your mobile device, it is recommended to use a different browser or computer.
- The MI Future Educator Fellowship offers a $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year who are admitted and enrolled in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
Follow MI Student Aid on Facebook for more information: https://www.facebook.com/mistudentaid