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Hundreds Of Education Advocates Rally For More Money In Budget

Cheyna Roth
/
MPRN

Education advocates, from teachers to lunch staff, filled the state Capitol lawn Tuesday. Capital correspondent Cheyna Roth explains why.

The state school aid budget is still being worked out by lawmakers in the state Legislature.

But protesters at the Capitol want to make sure that the final product has enough money for K-through-12 schools.

Donna Jackson is the president of a Detroit union that represents paraprofessionals – or school staff.

She says she wants the Legislature to adopt Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s spending plan. And the half billion dollars in additional money it calls for.

“I just want to see more of our work being supported through funding and training so that we can provide the quality service to the students.” Said Jackson.

Republicans working on the budget say they are trying to come up with a spending plan using the money they have to work with.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County.
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