K-12 Education 

• $611 million to increase per-pupil funding by 5%, an additional $458 per student, for a total of $9,608 per pupil. Per-pupil funding is up 22% since the Governor took office.  
• $450 million deposit into a new rainy day fund for schools, setting aside resources for future needs and shoring up the long-term financial stability of the state’s public education system. 
• $370 million to support teachers, including continued support for the MI Future Educator Program (which provides a tuition free path for college students to become certified teachers) and funds to retain and develop existing teachers through mentorship programs.  
• $328 million for mental health and school safety. 

• $254.6 million to expand free pre-K for up to 5,600 kids, working towards Pre-K for All by the end of the Governor’s second term, saving families $10,000 a year and putting kids on the path to a brighter future.  
• $204.5 million increase, for a total of $952 million, in funding for academically at-risk, economically disadvantaged students.  
• $160 million to provide all 1.4 million public school students in free breakfast and lunch, saving their families over $850 a year and time every morning.  
• $150 million for individualized tutoring or academic support through the MI Kids Back on Track program. 
• $140.3 million to continue expanded support for special education students, providing a full foundation allowance plus required cost reimbursements for each student.  

• $125 million to fund matching grants for school districts to modernize their bus fleet by switching over to electric vehicles. 
• $94.4 million for literacy-related programs and activities in Detroit public schools. 
• $25.5 million to help students reach their full academic potential, including expansion of existing payments for literacy grants and literacy coaches.  

• $25 million supporting new math intervention programs. 
• $25 million for additional supports for vocational education and career and technical education equipment upgrades. 
• $13.3 million to provide a 50% increase in funding for English language learners.  
• $8 million over two years to establish the Nature Awaits program, providing every Michigan fourth grader with a free field trip to a state park.  

“This is another outstanding budget, one that again works hard on funding adequacy and equity,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “In addition to a 5 percent foundation allowance increase, big percentage increases for the education of students with disabilities and English learners, and additional funding earmarked for staff compensation, the budget funds greater flexibility and continued expansion of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) program toward universally accessible pre-school, the implementation of the governor’s MI Kids Back on Track tutoring program for children who are behind in reading or math, universal school meals for students, and an opportunity index to fund high percentages of economically disadvantaged students. The budget also funds mentoring for new teachers, new counselors, and new administrators, as well as training for school board members, and transportation reimbursement to help address the cost of transportation, especially for rural districts whose per-rider costs are high. In the 30 years since Proposal A to change the school funding system, Michigan hasn’t had two years of back-to-back funding increases close to FY23 and FY24. Kudos to the governor and state legislature for their work, among that of many others, on the budget front.”  

“Thanks to the hard work of Governor Whitmer and leaders in the state House and Senate, our local schools will continue to make progress in attracting and retaining qualified educators who can help our students succeed,” said Paula Herbart, a longtime teacher from Macomb County and president of the Michigan Education Association. “It’s critical that we keep great educators on the job and attract talented people into this noble profession, and this budget agreement provides our schools with much-needed resources to help accomplish these goals.”  

“The GSRP funding included in this budget is an investment in today’s children, who are also tomorrow’s workforce here in Michigan, said Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works! and chair of the PreK for All Action Team. “By expanding access to pre-K for more kids and supporting new GSRP classrooms this announcement is a reflection of the state’s continued focus on lowering costs for families, supporting early learning, and investing in the growth and retention of early childhood professionals in Michigan.”   

“I’ve spoken to many superintendents across the state and there is a resounding appreciation for the education funding in this year’s state budget,” said Dr. Tina Kerr, MASA Executive Director. “These dollars are critical to helping our districts address student and staff mental health, increase school safety measures, and provide specialized learning opportunities. It is essential that public education be funded at this level both now and in the future so that our schools can continue to prepare our students for their own success and for Michigan’s future.”  

“Healthy School Meals for All will be transformational for Michigan’s students and families,” said Collin McDonough, Director of Michigan Government Relations at the American Heart Association. “Not only will it help students learn-no one can focus on an empty stomach-it will help reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Proper nutrition is a key component of a heart-healthy lifestyle, and having no-cost breakfast and lunch will ensure our students have what they need to succeed inside and outside the classroom. We applaud Governor Whitmer, the state legislature, the Michigan Department of Education, our partner organizations No Kid Hungry Michigan and the School Nutrition Association of Michigan, and the Michigan School Meals Coalition for their tireless work to take this program from an idea to reality.”  

“For years, The Alliance has advocated for a budget that invests in equity and supports the individual needs of every Michigan child,” said Peter Spadafore, Executive Director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity. “This budget creates the roadmap for achieving that goal while making significant investments in our most vulnerable learners.”  

Higher Education & Workforce Development 

• A 5% ongoing increase for university and community college operations. 
• $112 million in Infrastructure, Technology, Equipment Maintenance, and Safety (ITEMS) funding to assist community colleges and universities improve existing facilities, infrastructure, technology, and campus security. 
• $70 million to temporarily lower the eligibility age for Reconnect from 25 to 21, making a tuition-free associate degree or skills training available to 350,000 more Michiganders. 

• $50 million additional investment for the ongoing costs of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, lowering costs by thousands for students, bringing the FY24 investment to $300 million. 
• $37.8 million for the College Success Fund and wraparound services to improve retention and completion rates.  

“Michigan’s 15 public universities and the more than quarter million students they serve will greatly benefit from the budget plan Gov. Whitmer and legislative leaders have crafted,” said Dan Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities. “A five percent increase for university operations and an additional $50 million for students receiving the Michigan Achievement Scholarship are among the investments that will improve college affordability for families, the state’s talent pipeline, and the economic prosperity of Michigan.”  

“Michigan Community Colleges are proud to play a critical role in the state’s talent development strategy,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, President of Mott Community College and chair of the Michigan Community College Association board. “We are grateful for the State’s ongoing investment in the operations of community colleges. We are particularly thrilled about dedicated funding to lower the eligibility age for Michigan Reconnect from 25 to 21. This will be a game-changer in creating a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree at any one of Michigan’s 31 community and tribal colleges.”  

“Traverse Connect is thrilled to see continued investment in talent development programs like Michigan Reconnect in this budget, along with new incentives for research and development to help keep our state on the cutting edge of freshwater innovation,” said Warren Call, President and CEO of Traverse Connect. 

Public Health – Strengthening Families 

The budget makes vital investments focused on the health of Michigan families, including: 

• $140 million to increase wages for direct care workers and other staff assisting those with disabilities and seniors who require home-based and nursing home services and supports. 

• $156.8 million to increase reimbursement rates for Medicaid services to improve enrollee access to necessary health care. 
• $49.5 million to implement recommendations from the Racial Disparities Task Force, including neighborhood health grants, mobile health units, sickle cell support and more.