LANSING – State Representatives Douglas Geiss (D-Taylor) and Andrew J. Kandrevas (D-Southgate) today criticized the latest political maneuverings between Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) and the Governor that has led to another proposed cut to education and community schools. The legislators said the time for political brinkmanship has long passed and it's time for both parties to work together to protect schools, kids and our future.
"These political games that endanger our children's education must stop," said Geiss, whose Romulus Community Schools would see $1,078,073 cut as a result of the Governor's veto to parts of the School Aid Budget on Monday. "Education needs to be a top priority, especially at a time when we have to focus on creating the best workforce possible. Our children and their education should not – and cannot – be used to barter for a budget solution."
As budget negotiations continue to drag on past the Oct. 1 deadline, Bishop has delayed sending the Governor all the departmental budgets until today, while the Governor is vetoing funding for the schools in order to get the Senate to come to the bargaining table.
As part of the Governor's veto, so-called 20j schools across the state would face $52 million in cuts. Those cuts come on top of the $165 per pupil cuts already included in the School Aid Budget.
"The education of our kids shouldn't be used as a pawn in a political chess match," said Kandrevas, whose
Trenton Public Schools stand to lose $778,509 due to the veto. "This is not the time to cut funding to schools –
not when we're trying to protect education for our kids so they are prepared for the good-paying jobs in the
21st century economy."
Other Western Wayne County schools that would be impacted include: Clarenceville School District, $574,790; Dearborn City School District, $4,880,408; Grosse Ile Township Schools, $523,801; Livonia Public Schools, $5,015,469; Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Schools, $729,794; Northville Public Schools, $2,214,794; and River Rouge School District, $302,436.