Some Michigan lawmakers are worried about plans to cut the U.S. Department of Education. President Trump and some of his allies want to get rid of the department entirely. They believe that education should be more controlled by state and local governments.
Right now, the federal department manages student aid, collects education data, and helps fund schools. Linda McMahon, Trump’s choice for Education Secretary, is currently having her confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate.
State Senator Mallory McMorrow, a Democrat from Royal Oak, highlighted the potential impact on Michigan’s budget. “Forty-one percent of our state budget depends on federal funding. If the Education Department goes away, we could lose about $2.5 billion. This would especially hurt special needs programs,” she said during a recent press conference.
McMorrow also warned that losing this revenue could deplete the state’s emergency fund. Any changes to the Education Department would need approval from Congress. Recently, some lawmakers even proposed bills to eliminate the department. The Trump administration has started moving away from funding schools that promote inclusion.
Already, some of these funding cuts have faced legal challenges. At the press conference, lawmakers were uncertain about how Michigan’s attorney general might respond to further changes in education policy. However, State Representative Kelly Breen mentioned that she has been in touch with federal lawmakers to advocate against the cuts.
“They have their limits, but it’s encouraging to see some Republicans trying to help from within Congress,” Breen noted. She emphasized how important federal education spending is for school safety and special needs programs. Rep. Matt Koleszar also pointed out that these funds help Michigan provide free school lunches for all students.
