The Michigan House approved several spending bills this week, including legislation providing record funding for public education. State Representative Brad Paquette of Berrien Springs took to the House floor to promote the bills that came out of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 Education, of which he is chair. He said the spending plan addresses more than traditional classroom instruction.
“It brings in immense air support to address mental health needs with emphasis on supporting the idea of helping kids get plugged into something at their school and/or community, whether that be an exercise regimen, sports team, or chess club, whatever, paving a path for them to develop their skills and talents in ways that they see actually matter,” Paquette said.
Paquette said the bills also will free the state up down the road by paying off pension debt. He added the plan opens the doors to veterans interested in education careers by allowing them to seek support and mentee roles. Also, he said the plan provides funding for school transparency to help reduce hostility at school board meetings. It includes $9,000 for schools for each student. House approval of the plan was mostly partisan, and now negotiations with the governor and the state Senate begin.
