*September 27, 2024*



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Dear Friend,

I know that a high-quality public education is the foundation every Michigander needs to build a great life, and that starts with investing in our students, educators, and schools.

That’s why I am proud that, this week, my partners in the Michigan Legislature passed commonsense legislation to lower costs for qualifying teachers on every paycheck and free up additional resources for local school districts to invest in classrooms, computer labs, and libraries, expand on-campus mental health, or shore up campus safety.

The Michigan Legislature also passed bipartisan legislation this week to improve literacy outcomes statewide by offering more screening and resources for students with dyslexia or other reading challenges and supporting evidence-based, science of reading curricula. 

Since I took office, we have made record investments in our students, teachers, and schools, including providing free breakfast and lunch to every Michigan public school student, investing in students’ mental health and school safety, and increasing our per-pupil funding by nearly 26% since 2019.

This legislation builds on our progress to improve outcomes in the classroom without leaving any student, school, or educator behind. I look forward to signing it into law.

Together, we are building a brighter future for Michigan students and educators.

Sincerely,

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Gretchen Whitmer

Governor






*Lowering Costs for Teachers*





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Our educators work hard. We must  ensure they are supported now, and in retirement.

This new legislation will permanently end the state’s 3% tax that many public school teachers pay into a health care fund for their retirement, putting money back in their pockets to pay bills and build a life here in Michigan.






This increased cost was imposed on our tens of thousands of out veteran educators over a decade ago under my predecessor. This week, my partners in the Michigan Legislature made it right. I am grateful to Senator Darrin Camilleri, Representative Jaime Churches, all my partners in the Michigan Legislature, and the countless allies and organizations who worked so hard to get this done.

This package of legislation also includes a supplemental education budget providing $125 million in additional funding for school safety and student mental health.

Here in Michigan, we do not believe in false choices. We will not pit students who deserve a high-quality public education against educators who deserve a great quality of life now and in retirement. That’s why the State of Michigan will continue to take fiscally responsible actions to make historic investments in our classrooms while lowering costs for teachers and ensuring benefits remain available for all current and future eligible public-school retirees. 


* The new balanced, bipartisan budget [ [link removed] ] for fiscal year 2025 increases per pupil funding by 4%, representing an average $400 more per student. Local school districts will have the flexibility to invest these funds where they are needed most, such as supporting student mental health, enhancing school safety, or strengthening the educator workforce.
* The new budget also lowers costs for teachers, continues support to help current teachers pay back their student loans, and supports aspiring educators with the MI Future Educator Fellowship [ [link removed] ].

We are making record investments into classrooms without compromising the retirement or health care benefits of a single public school teacher or retiree.

*Improving Outcomes in our Classrooms*

To build a brighter future for Michigan, we must ensure our students have the skills they need to succeed, including literacy, which is directly tied to lifelong education, income, and health outcomes.  

This week’s commonsense, bipartisan package will allow teachers and tutors to use proven science of reading strategies to improve literacy. It will also strengthen professional development for our educators and provide more support and screening for dyslexia and other learning challenges.

I am grateful to Senator Jeff Irwin, Senator Dayna Polehanki, all my partners in the Michigan Legislature on both sides of the aisle, and the many stakeholders who prioritized this issue.

Together, we will help even more students read at higher levels and move our state forward.








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