Tell Rep. Thomas Albert to NOT Hold Hostage Michigan Federal Education Funds

By MUUSJN on Friday, February 19th, 2021

Urge Rep. Albert Thomas to Not Play Games Release $2.1 Billion in Federal School Funds!

BACKGROUND:
The federal government, with bi-partisan support, allocated COVID relief funds in December 2020 that should now be available to help Michiganders deal with the pandemic and its impact. The Michigan legislature is responsible for allocating these funds. Currently, $2.1 billion dollars of these funds are designated for our schools, but are being withheld by the Republican controlled House of Representatives. They are making allocation of these funds contingent on stripping Governor Whitmer of some of her pandemic-related emergency powers. Specifically, they seek to remove the Governor’s ability to close in-person learning and sports activities and to grant this authority to local health departments.

This effort is being led by the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Representative Thomas Albert (R). Albert represents the 86th State House District, which is east of Grand Rapids and encompasses Ionia, Belding and Lowell. As Chair of this important committee, Albert yields tremendous power in this matter.

WHAT ADVOCATES ARE SAYING:
Education groups across the state have blasted this move. Tina Kerr, head of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators stated: “The debate among adults about separation of powers and decision-making authority should not hold hostage these desperately needed funds for our schools and, ultimately, Michigan’s children”. Robert McCann, Executive Director of the K-12 Alliance — an organization representing school superintendents in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne counties stated: “The Michigan Legislature has only one job as it relates to this funding: allocate it. Holding critical school funding hostage as part of a political squabble goes beyond ugly partisan politics: It is immoral and fundamentally unacceptable …  Students, teachers and staff have faced far too much during this pandemic to now have to worry about becoming pawns in a grossly miscalculated political stunt.” (Detroit Free Press) For more information, go to: https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/27/whitmer-school-funds-covid-michigan/4274515001/)

The federal COVID school funds will help with: before and after school activities; summer school for kids who’ve fallen behind on their learning; school transportation; and repair air ducts for better air flow.

ACTIONS:

  1. Call Representative Thomas Albert at 517-373-0846. Tell him to stop using our school children as political pawns and release the 2.1 billion dollars immediately.
  2. Use this link to send Representative Albert an email: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/fundmischools/

Category: News |