Budget funds universal school meals, other supports for students as well as transformative investments in public safety, infrastructure and more
LANSING, Mich. (June 30, 2023) — This week, Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) and the Michigan Senate Democrats passed their first majority-led state budget in 40 years, and with it, transformational change for Michigan and the kids, families, workers, business owners and seniors who call our state home. The budget bills were House Bill 4437, which includes funding for all state departments for 2024, and Senate Bill 173, which covers school funding for the upcoming school year. Both bills passed the Senate with bipartisan support and were given immediate effect.
Some of the highlights of the school budget include:
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Funding for universal school meals to ensure no Michigan child has to go hungry;
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The largest foundation allowance increase (5%) in state history;
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A 50% funding increase for English-Language Learners;
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A 100% weighted formula for special education students, closing the funding gap;
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$204.5 million for at-risk students, including an Opportunity Index to improve funding equity; and
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Great Start Readiness Program eligibility expansion and a 5-day preschool option.
“As a former educator and an ongoing advocate for our kids, teachers, and schools, I am so proud to help deliver this monumental school budget that invests in the areas of greatest need for our students and our school system,” said Sen. Polehanki. “We are ensuring that all kids have the food they need to thrive and the supports they need to succeed, and that their schools have the funding necessary to address all students’ needs.”
The education budget also includes significant investments in school transportation and infrastructure. It also addresses teacher compensation via a per-pupil grant to be used for teacher bonuses and a $225 million pilot program for student loan stipends for teachers to help improve teacher recruitment and retention and counter our state’s teacher shortage crisis.
HB 4437 also included a number of transformative wins, making the 2024 budget one of the most inclusive and equitable state budgets in Michigan’s history. The budget reinvests in Michigan’s communities and people, and it will generate significant, positive change around the state. This includes historic investments in public health and safety, infrastructure, culture and recreation, diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce and talent development. The budget is also fiscally responsible, including funding for the Budget Stabilization Fund and debt service for the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The 2024 state budget also included over $30 million that Sen. Polehanki helped obtain for a number of priorities in her district, Senate District 5. Michigan’s 5th Senate District includes part of Livonia and all of Canton Township, Garden City, Inkster, and Westland.
There is also significant transparency built into this budget and its implementation. Throughout the process, Senate Democrats have been in constant communication with their constituents and communities, their Republican counterparts, as well as organizations and residents from around the state to inform this state budget.
In addition, the budget includes language and improved requirements around transparency and reporting, for the first time requiring all state departments to publicly report and post online all specific earmarks and enhancement grants, and identify the legislator associated with them. The reporting is officially required to begin in January 2024, and the departments must publicly promote this information by September 2024, though Senate Democrats will be working to make that information accessible as soon as it’s available.
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