Whitmer Faces Backlash for Major Education Cuts Amid National Spotlight

As Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer enjoys the national spotlight and speculation about a potential spot on the Democrats’ 2024 ticket, she faces harsh criticism at home for signing an education budget that drastically cuts funding for school safety and mental health.

The budget, which passed the Michigan legislature with Democratic support and was signed by Whitmer on Tuesday, slashes school safety and mental health funding by an astonishing $300 million, a 92% decrease, according to The Detroit News. Additionally, the budget cuts into teachers’ pension funds and fails to increase per-student funding for the first time in 13 years.

Republicans in the state legislature, school district superintendents, and teachers have expressed outrage over these cuts. Even education advocates, typically supportive of Democratic policies, have joined the chorus of criticism.

“I have no words,” Republican state Rep. Gina Johnsen told The Daily Wire. Johnsen highlighted that Republicans had no time to review the budget before the vote. “The party that gets criticized for not caring cared, and the party that said they cared so much just gouged the education budget,” she remarked. Johnsen added that some Democratic legislators were “horrified” by the last-minute changes and claimed they wouldn’t have supported the budget had they known its full implications.

Michigan State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice, appointed by the Democrat-majority State Board of Education, voiced his concerns about the budget, stating, “This reduction will slow Michigan’s recent momentum in addressing student mental health challenges. A $300 million reduction in funding for children’s mental health services and school safety fails to recognize the physical and mental health needs of our students.”

Robert McCann, executive director of The K-12 Alliance of Michigan, described Whitmer’s budget as “misguided.” He warned, “There will, unfortunately, be consequences of this misguided budget felt in every school across Michigan.” McCann, who previously worked as chief of staff for the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus during Whitmer’s tenure as Senate Minority leader, emphasized the broad impact of the cuts.

Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi acknowledged some positive aspects of the budget but noted, “There were deep cuts to categorical funding for school safety and student mental health — cuts that will need to be navigated at the local level to keep our schools safe learning spaces for all students and employees. Our hope is that state lawmakers will return after the summer break to pass a supplemental budget that funds these critical student mental health and safety priorities.”

Despite slashing education funding, Whitmer and Michigan Democrats passed over $400 million in earmarked pet projects, including $10 million for a youth sports complex in Frankenmuth and $2 million for Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit, as reported by Bridge Michigan.

Republican state Rep. Cam Cavitt criticized the governor, stating both parties worked to secure necessary school funding for safety and mental health, but “the governor gutted that.” Cavitt questioned Whitmer’s motives, suggesting she diverted funds for political gains, “so she could give out political gifts to her base who go back to the splash pads and the cricket fields.”

The cuts come at a particularly sensitive time, following the Oxford High School shooting in November 2021, which claimed the lives of four students. “Republicans made school safety and mental health top priorities in our education budgets, but now that Democrats have full control, they’re reversing course and cutting support for these critical student needs,” said House Republican Leader Matt Hall earlier this month.

Though the budget has been signed, Democrats may still introduce a supplemental package for a vote when the legislature reconvenes after recess later this month.

The Daily Wire has reached out to Gov. Whitmer’s office for comment on the budget.

Governor Whitmer, currently on a tour promoting her book “True Gretch,” is seen as an influential figure in the Democratic Party’s future. Speculations have arisen about her potential as a vice-presidential candidate if Vice President Kamala Harris secures the 2024 nomination.

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