Poll finds funding schools a top priority in Michigan

As the House and Senate enter the final stretch of their budget negotiations, fixing the roads continues to be a top priority for House Republicans and Governor Whitmer. However, that sentiment is not shared by Michigan residents, as revealed in a poll commissioned by The K-12 Alliance of Michigan. That poll asked likely voters’ feelings about the ongoing budget talks in Lansing and  found that vast majority of participants said school funding was a higher priority than road funding.

The poll asked voters which is a higher priority in this year’s budget- funding for public schools or funding the roads. The results found that 74 percent favored funding public schools while only 13 percent prioritized funding the roads. An additional 12 percent of respondents said that both were equally important. In addition, 86 percent of respondents were opposed to taking money out of the school aid fund to help pay for roads.

“The strong poll numbers support EdTrust-Midwest’s mission to invest in public education and, specifically, to invest in students with the greatest needs,” said Jennifer Mrozowski, senior director for external relations and strategic communications. “In addition, it reinforces the need to protect the the school aid fund from being raided for other purposes and to ensure that school aid dollars are only spent on k-12 public education.”

What you can do:

As legislative leaders continue their work toward finalizing the budget, it is critical to remind them that the vast majority of Michigan voters prioritize funding their local public schools. Now is the time to contact your local Representative and Senator and tell them to invest in Michigan’s most underserved students by funding the Opportunity Index, English Learners and students with disabilities.