LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 13, 2025) — Today, Michigan Senate Democrats renewed their call for House Republicans to take action on an education budget, warning that continued inaction is putting students, teachers, and schools at risk.
“As House Republicans continue holding up the annual budget negotiation process instead of doing the work of the people, schools all over the state have been forced into an impossible position and are scrambling to plan for the upcoming year — all because of the inaction and implacability of one man, Republican Speaker Matt Hall,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “Senate Democrats passed a responsible education budget months ago — without compromising on the priorities that matter to our schools — and we’ll continue showing up to the negotiating table in good faith to deliver an education budget that builds up our public school system, not tears it down.”
Months after Senate Democrats passed a comprehensive, transformative state budget, including a student-focused education budget, Speaker Matt Hall and his House Republican caucus have failed to take any reasonable steps to complete a budget or make the investments kids and families need. With the school year approaching — and the statutory July 1 deadline far behind us — schools and students across Michigan are already starting to feel the consequences of the House GOP’s delays.
“We know what happens first-hand when young students fall behind — they rarely catch up without early, individualized attention. We cannot cut our way to student success, and we cannot build strong schools on shaky budgets,” said Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Pre-K-12 Subcommittee. “Michigan families, teachers, and students are watching. The clock is ticking, and every day without a budget adds uncertainty for our schools. The Senate is ready to negotiate, but we will not accept a deal that shifts school dollars away from kids, risks our fiscal stability, or plays politics with the classroom.”
The Senate-passed education budget prioritizes student success by protecting critical programs like free school meals, investing in mental health and safety initiatives, and ensuring smaller class sizes. Without responsible and timely action from the House, these investments are at risk.
“If Republicans continue to stall, Michigan students will continue to lose access to the essential resources they need, and some will go hungry,” said Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “It’s time for Speaker Hall and the rest of the House Republicans to set aside the political games and finally put our students and families first.”
Senate Democrats urged Speaker Hall to allow his caucus to begin engaging in good-faith negotiations immediately to reach a budget agreement before more harm is done.
“The chaos and uncertainty of starting the school year without knowing how the state funding will look is damaging to our schools,” said Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor). “I hope that our Republican House colleagues will act quickly to pass a budget that includes critical investments in literacy, school safety, and smaller class sizes.”