Reaction to Gov. Whitmer's proposed budget
There is no excuse for the continued failures of the Whitmer Administration to provide direct support to students struggling to learn and teachers struggling to teach,' said DeShone. 'Our students are 45th in the nation for 4th-grade reading proficiency, the state of Michigan spends over $20 billion on the education system, the student population in public education continues to decline, and the money going to bloated administrative positions continues to increase. You would think Governor Whitmer would finally get the memo that the system is broken and throwing more money at it will do nothing to help. Additionally, she continues to pick winners and losers amongst our students by cutting funding for students who attend full-time online cyber charter schools, while fully funding full-time online learners in union-run public schools.
Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP) Executive Director Beth DeShone
The 15 state universities of Michigan enthusiastically commend Governor Whitmer's proposed investments for higher education as outlined in her fiscal year 2026 executive budget recommendation.The four percent increase in institutional operating support combined with the continued build out of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship will help ensure the positive trajectory achieved in recent years, reflecting the state's commitment to improving college access and affordability.The governor's proposed funding framework will better enable the universities to continue delivering high-quality academic programs aligned to Michigan's fast-evolving, knowledge economy workforce needs. These investments will go a long way toward helping the universities build on their collective multi-year increase in student enrollment and continued progress in increasing educational attainment levels among Michigan residents.MASU and the state universities look forward to working with state legislators in the weeks and months ahead to advocate for a final budget that strengthens college access, student success, talent and economic development, and the ability for these institutions to maximize their ability to serve individuals, communities and the state.
The Michigan Association of State Universities
We appreciate Governor Whitmer's steadfast commitment to ensuring Michigan's high school graduates and adults have access to life-changing student financial aid, including the Community College Guarantee and Michigan Reconnect. These initiatives open essential pathways for students to acquire the training and credentials needed for high-demand jobs that pay sustainable wages and address local workforce needs.Making the Michigan Achievement Scholarship permanent—including the Community College Guarantee—will provide much-needed certainty to students and their families as they explore a range of community college options, including workforce training programs, skilled trades certifications, and associate degrees, all of which can lead to high-demand careers or serve as steppingstones toward a bachelor's degree.The governor's proposed 4 percent increase to support community college operations will help strengthen colleges' ability to offer affordable, high-quality training programs, contributing to a skilled workforce that drives Michigan's economy.We are also pleased to see continued investments in college access and success, including efforts to boost FAFSA completion rates and support for organizations like the Michigan College Access Network. These investments play a vital role in ensuring that students can access state scholarships and the resources they need to succeed.
Michigan Community College Association President Brandy Johnson
State funding is critical to the health and viability of Michigan hospitals and their patients. This budget presented by the Whitmer administration today maintains stability for healthcare providers across Michigan. We appreciate the continued protection of funding pools that preserve access to care for Michiganders, whether they require obstetrical services, care at rural and critical access hospitals or coverage from the Healthy Michigan Plan and Michigan's Medicaid health plans. We are also encouraged to see continued attention towards issues that impact Michigan's talent pipeline and remove barriers towards pursuing healthcare careers.Healthcare touches us all, regardless of political affiliation, and we look forward to working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle during the budget process to make sure Michiganders, their communities and healthcare providers receive the funding support they need.
Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association
Launch Michigan applauds Governor Whitmer's state budget recommendation which includes historic investments in early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary education, additional funding for efficiencies and consolidation efforts, and increased transparency measures, holding the state accountable for better preparing our children for life beyond high school. But we have more work to do. Despite historic education funding, Michigan students are falling behind those in other states and we need a bipartisan commitment to bold, systemic change to reverse the slide. The proposed investments are a step toward reinventing Michigan's education system and giving every student, in every corner of the state, the tools to succeed. We need our state policy leaders to take resolute action toward the fundamental system changes that are needed to make statewide impact.We're looking forward to working side by side with the governor, legislature, and education stakeholders to get these important initiatives across the finish line to uplift Michigan students and the future of our state.
Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan
Over the past two years, Gov. Whitmer and her Democrat trifecta lived fat off of bloated budgets built on the backs of Michigan taxpayers. They blew through a historic $9 billion surplus, imposed a $700 million income tax hike on Michigan workers and raided $670 million from the teacher pension fund — all while ignoring necessary investments in our local roads, critical bridges and struggling schools.Meanwhile, President Trump is leading from the front and cutting massive amounts of waste at the federal level. It's time for Michigan Democrats to heed the mandate issued by voters: No more corporate handouts, no more anonymous pet projects, and no more giveaways to radical far-left causes.Michigan's next budget must roll back the size of government and overspending. It must provide funding to fix our crumbling roads and bridges, keep our communities safe and help students who are falling behind in basic math and reading; and it must reduce the tax burden on hardworking Michiganders who need more of their own money to feed their families and heat their homes. It's time to prioritize Michigan taxpayers over special interest tax-takers.'
Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township
The governor seems to have learned nothing from the recent presidential election. Michigan voters elected Donald Trump last fall on a promise of more freedom and more efficiency, yet the governor's bloated budget doubles down on the failed liberal mandates of more government, more spending, and more taxes.After six years of this governor, our road quality ranks 40th in the country. This is after the governor blew through a $9 billion surplus two years ago, raised income taxes by $700 million last year and now plans on exhausting an expected $1 billion surplus this year. That's $10.7 billion in extra spending over three years with virtually nothing to show for it.I support the per-pupil increase for schools, but improving education is more than just spending more money. Republicans increased funding for students each year, but under this governor, more dollars are being spent outside of the classroom, and as a result, Michigan students continue to fall behind. Recent test scores show that only 25% of Michigan fourth graders are able to read at grade level, and Michigan's fourth grade reading ranking fell from 21st in the nation in 2022 to 32nd in 2024. That's unacceptable.I will fight for a responsible state budget that invests in our students and local roads, protects our communities, and makes our government more cost-effective and efficient —and does it all while providing crucial relief for all Michigan taxpayers.
Sen. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe
Michigan College Access Network fully supports the historic educational investments in Gov. Whitmers budget proposal,' said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. 'To compete in the global economy, Michigan needs to build a flexible, well-educated workforce that is ready for the challenges of tomorrow. This budget demonstrates the governors commitment to our future by supporting increased college readiness, participation and completion. The investments outlined in this budget would strengthen our K-12 system, expand financial aid options and provide additional support for populations that are underrepresented in college — especially low-income individuals, those who would be first-generation college-going students and people of color. As the House and Senate prepare their own budget proposals, we encourage bipartisan cooperation to craft a final budget that invests in our residents success and provides improved economic opportunities for all Michiganders through college access and success.'
Michigan College Access Network Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss
Over the past two years, my Democratic colleagues and I have used the state budget as a tool to uplift Michiganders through historic, long-overdue investments in every corner of our state. I'm proud of the results we've delivered for the people of Michigan. From 4-year-olds to 64-year-olds, auto workers to nurses, the investments we have made bring us one step closer to ensuring everyone has the skills they need for the life they want. I'm encouraged to see some of the Senate's priorities reflected in the governor's recommendations today — improving access to diverse, affordable housing options; strengthening education and investing in our workforce; and lowering costs for hardworking families. I look forward to working with Gov. Whitmer to build on our past successes, and I welcome Chair Bollin to the budget process with the hope that we will approach it with the same sense of integrity, fiscal responsibility, and commitment to delivering for every Michigander.
Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing)
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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