Craig, Rinke, Soldano, and Dixon support plan that threatened public education
Several of the Republican candidates vying for governor in a messy and crowded field of 12 have thrown their support behind a “unsustainable” and “short-sighted” tax plan spearheaded by Republican legislators. Once again pushing their wrong-for-Michigan agenda, the plan would have forced billions in cuts statewide, severely reducing critical public education funding that benefits students, parents, and educators.
Here’s the facts:
- Aside from the fact that it “disproportionately helps the state’s wealthiest residents,” the disastrous bill would have forced more than $1.8 billion in annual cuts to Michigan’s budget.
- Over just three years, the GOP tax plan would have gutted public education resources to the tune of $624 million being stripped from the school aid fund.
Backing this up, the Michigan Education Association reduced this failed Republican idea to an “election-year stunt” and warned that it irresponsibly would result in “drastic budget shortfalls for students and educators.” Similarly, Governor Whitmer pointed out that it would create a “recurring, multibillion-dollar hole in basic state government functions” that directly impacts “our children’s ability to catch up in school.”
Nevertheless, candidates touted the bill and have continued to push for ripping public education to the studs by implementing DeVos-style school voucher agendas:
- Despite the serious budgetary strains the GOP tax plan would put on local communities’ efforts to keep their streets safe, James Craig said it was a “great start” and wished it could “go even further.” Late last year, he advocated for cutting funding for underperforming public schools in order to funnel taxpayer resources to private schools.
- Kevin Rinke similarly indicated his “plain and simple” support for the tax plan. He also criticized Governor Whitmer for vetoing “the latest effort by legislative Republicans to create a school voucher system in Michigan” that would have reduced state investment in education by upwards of $500 million annually.
- Tudor Dixon also supported the tax plan. She’s been a staunch supporter of stripping critical funding from public schools and has said that repealing Michigan’s constitutional ban on using public money for private education was a top priority for her campaign.
- Garrett Soldano called for across-the-board blunt cuts to the budget that take no consideration for the needs and priorities of working families.
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“Michiganders can expect James Craig, Kevin Rinke, Tudor Dixon, and Garrett Soldano to press forward on their disastrous crusade to dismantle public education regardless of the fact that it would harm students, parents, and educators. Working families deserve leadership that is focused on results, which is why Governor Whitmer continues to work with anyone to secure the critical investments that keep our public schools open and funded.”
