LANSING, Mich. (March 12, 2025) — In response to yesterday’s announcement by the U.S. Dept. of Education (DOE) outlining plans to lay off over 1,300 of its employees — nearly half of its staff — Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for the Michigan Dept. of Education, issued the below statement:
“Our students should not be condemned to fall through the cracks because of reckless actions taken by the Trump administration. It’s absolutely imperative that the Department of Education is adequately staffed so that employees can administer necessary services and deliver programs that everyone in the state benefits from. Not only will cutting the department’s staff in half hurt Michigan today, but the negative consequences will inevitably be felt across the country for decades.
“I am especially worried that the DOE will not be able to deliver Title 1 programs, administer services or funding for our special needs students, or provide crucial student financial aid. Looking forward, I am also concerned about future cuts and additional loss of programs that DOE could suffer, ultimately harming students, teachers, and so many others around the country who rely on them.”