Every Republican Michigan House of Representative member sent a signed letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday asking her to reconsider vetoing funding for the Michigan Tuition Grant. This grant gives students up to $2,400 per year to attend one of Michigan’s independent colleges.
Last week, Whitmer eliminated $38 million in college tuition grants from the state budget part of which would have gone to the Michigan Tuition Grant.
“We are disappointed to learn of your decision to veto funding for the Michigan Tuition Grant. All too frequently we hear from constituents who are concerned about how they will pay for college. The Michigan Tuition Grant program provides students up to $2,400 per year to attend one of Michigan’s independent colleges. While $2,400 may not seem substantial to some people, in the hands of a struggling student and family, this grant can mean the difference between continuing their education, having to withdraw from school, or having to take out additional loans and saddle themselves with deeper debt,” the letter reads.
The representatives note how important a determining factor higher education is in economic mobility, yet it is becoming harder for low and middle-income students to afford increasing college costs. Furthermore, the letter details how investing in education is important to the growth of Michigan’s economy.
“We sincerely hope that for the good of Michigan students, their families, and our economy, you will seriously reconsider your veto, which undid the critical funding for the Michigan Tuition Grant program,” the letter concludes.
The letter was signed by Tim Walberg (MI-07), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), John Moolenaar (MI-04), Fred Upton (MI-06) and Paul Mitchell (MI-10).
Michigan GOP Chairman Laura Cox tweeted out her support for these representatives.
“I would like to thank our Republican Members of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation for standing up to hold @GovWhitmer accountable.While Whitmer claims “everyone in Michigan has a right to an educational path to success”, her actions as of late seem to say otherwise. #MIGov,” she said.
I would like to thank our Republican Members of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation for standing up to hold @GovWhitmer accountable.
While Whitmer claims "everyone in Michigan has a right to an educational path to success", her actions as of late seem to say otherwise. #MIGov pic.twitter.com/clDgNfZVPM
— Laura Cox (@MIGOPChair) October 9, 2019
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Battleground State News. Follow Zachery on Twitter.
