July 3, 2024  

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Gov. Whitmer, Legislature to Put Money Back in Teachers’ Pockets in Budget 

Recently passed FY 2025 budget supports educators with increase in pay for veteran teachers, continued student loan repayment, future educator fellowship, and stipends for student teachers  

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer highlighted investments in the recently passed state budget to support educators—past, present, and future.  

“This year’s budget will build on our historic efforts to invest in educators and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Governor Whitmer. “By raising pay, reducing debt, and supporting future teachers we are setting up Michigan schools for decades of success. Together, we will train, attract, and retain more skilled, talented educators to our schools, building on the historic investments we have made since I took office. I will always have our educators’ backs, and I look forward to continuing this work with my partners in the legislature and across Michigan.” 

“Supporting our educators is one of the most important things we can do to ensure a brighter future for Michigan,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “As a dad of three school-aged kids, I want them all to go to a classroom where they are taught by a skilled, qualified educator. This budget not only recognizes the hard work of our current teachers but also paves the way for the next generation of educators by making it more affordable to enter the profession. We are committed to creating an environment where educators can thrive and where every student has the opportunity to succeed.”   

“We applaud Gov. Whitmer and Legislature’s fiscal responsibility in aggressively pre-funding the school employee retiree health system,” said Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County. “Now that the system is fully funded, educators from across Michigan — who have sacrificed 3% of their salaries for over a decade to shore up the retirement system — will receive much-needed financial relief, and local schools will receive a boost in per-pupil funding to help our students learn.” 

A Better, More Affordable Education 

Governor Whitmer remains a steadfast ally for students and teachers in Michigan’s school system. This budget marks the largest investment in education in our state’s history for the sixth year in a row. These investments include:  

• $181 million to recognize the crucial role high-quality, veteran teachers play to help their students succeed. 
• Continued support for the MI Future Educator Fellowship, a scholarship that lowers the cost of higher education for future teachers.  
• Continued payments for student teachers so they stay on the path to the classroom. 
• Continued student loan repayment for educators. 

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