LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing millions of dollars in new support for childhood literacy as part of her annual budget recommendation.
The governor’s office says that the funding would go toward expanding literacy instruction and increasing options for after-school programming.
Lawmakers have for years struggled with getting Michigan students up to the standards of similar states, and bipartisan frustration has continued to grow.
Whitmer is set to detail her plan and more in a Wednesday presentation before lawmakers.
Tom McKee, superintendent of Rudyard Srea Schools, says that the plan could make more resources available to rural communities like his — but he’s waiting to see more details about the proposal.
“One thing that worries me is it’s always one time funding — if we could really get into a place where our governor and our legislators put an emphasis on some long-term solutions, it would make the whole education process a lot better for all of our kids,” he said.
Whitmer is also proposing a sales tax break on school products including classroom items, clothes and computers.
It’s unclear exactly which parts of Whitmer’s proposal will eventually make it into law. The nearly $80 billion state budget requires support from the Republican-controlled House, so some policies could be shed in negotiations.