Michigan Democrats Sound the Alarm: How Trump’s Education Department Plans Could Impact Students and Schools

Democratic lawmakers in Michigan are expressing concerns about possible cuts to the U.S. Department of Education. There’s talk among President Trump and some Republican leaders about eliminating the department entirely. They believe education should be more in the hands of state and local governments.

Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, is currently undergoing confirmation hearings in the Senate. The Department of Education plays a vital role by overseeing student aid, collecting educational data, and funding schools.

State Senator Mallory McMorrow highlighted the potential impact of these cuts on Michigan’s budget. “Forty-one percent of our state’s budget comes from federal funding. If the Department of Education were cut, we could lose about $2.5 billion from our school aid fund. This would hit special needs programs especially hard,” she explained during a press conference.

McMorrow pointed out that losing this funding could deplete the state’s rainy day fund, which is meant for emergencies. Any major changes to the Department of Education would need approval from Congress. Recently, lawmakers have reintroduced proposals to eliminate the department, and the Trump administration has already begun reducing funds for inclusive education programs.

Legal challenges have emerged in response to these funding cuts. At the same press conference, lawmakers noted uncertainty about what actions Michigan’s attorney general might take regarding further changes.

State Representative Kelly Breen has been in contact with federal lawmakers to advocate against these cuts. “There’s a limit to what they can do. I’m glad to see some Republicans stepping up to support our schools,” she said.

Breen underscored that Michigan heavily relies on federal education funding for crucial areas like school safety and special needs services. Representative Matt Koleszar also mentioned that federal support helps provide universal free lunches for students across the state.

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