LANSING — Fingers are being pointed across the aisle as Michigan lawmakers seek to impose statewide limits on cell phone use in classrooms.
The policy promoted by Gov. Whitmer and supported by most state lawmakers likely won’t go into effect for this year after proposal was defeated in the House.
Phone bans are already in place in many districts around the state, but the proposal would require districts to maintain some type of electronics policy.
Due to a handful of Republican absences, Republicans had to rely on Democratic votes to pass the bill — they didn’t receive those votes, and the proposal failed twice.
The votes took place on July 24 and delayed action on other bills with broad bipartisan support, including the establishment of a statewide Silver Alert system.
Republican House Speaker Matt Hall shared his frustration with the outcome at a press conference Wednesday.
“We’re not going to have a ban on cell phones in the classroom this year — and so this year, kids will be able to use their cell phones in the classroom unless they’re in a district that bans it," said Hall, (R) District 42, Richland Twp.
Democrats argue that the Legislature shouldn’t be conducting other business until an education budget is agreed upon, which was supposed to happen by July 1.
Hall says that the cell phone bill could have been a point of agreement between parties.
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Lansing next week, but could extend their summer break as they see fit.
