I just want to reiterate what my colleague from the 5th District said about the King-Chavez-Parks program. As mentioned before, this program is a program designed to help economically disadvantaged citizens to give and provide them the opportunities to actually attend higher education as well as explore those opportunities. Programs like the Future Faculty Fellowship Program was designed to expand opportunities for individuals to become educators in the state of Michigan. Somebody you all know near and dear, my husband, actually was a recipient of the King-Chavez-Parks program for the Future Faculty Fellowship Program. I just want to also iterate that in committee we talked about this briefly, and it was identified that there was some audit reports that were from the OAG’s office 20 years ago indicating that students were not paying their loans back to this particular program, but I want to just say this quite frankly. Through this budget process, I have seen where it seems to me that there is just an attack on poor people and minorities throughout the course of this budget, where programs that actually support minority students and help them to advance themselves are being cut through this budgetary process. We’ve seen in the past where affirmative action has been taken away through this legislative process and students who have the opportunity to go to higher academic achieving institutions are being disenfranchised by this very body. I’m hopeful that through this process, we can continue to have this conversation because definitely people put their money where their mouth is, and each and every one of you in this chamber are definitely determining where your mouth is through this process. I hope that as we continue to move forward and have real, robust conversations about the realness of bringing Michigan forward, that we think about all the populations of people across this state, not just the ones that look like the person you’re looking at in the mirror.
Senator LaSata’s first statement is as follows:
I just want you to know that I along with my office took a deep dive into looking at these programs. We chose to remove the King-Chavez programs from the Higher Education budget because they haven’t been successful, with the exception of one program where there is funding and we continue to fund that program. We continue to fund it even more than what it has currently been given. This has nothing to do with race; this has to do with helping students and I will continue to work with my colleagues to help all students.
Senator Hertel’s statement is as follows:
Oftentimes budgets are an act of compromise and this budget is no different. There are certainly things that I disagree with—some of the boilerplate that I feel is certainly unenforceable and does not have this legislative power to micromanage universities. Also, I think that the King-Chavez programs are important. That being said, the 11 percent increase for higher education in this budget would be the largest in not only my time in the Legislature but my time since I was in college. Those investments are incredibly important. For 30 years, Republicans and Democrats have failed our students. Eighty percent of the cost of college education used to be paid for by the state; 20 percent by families. Now, 20 percent by the state and 80 percent paid for by families. Kids are graduating with an average of $35,000 worth of debt. This helps stem that problem and I’m proud that the Governor has fought for these increases, I’m proud that the other side of the aisle has recognized the importance as well, and this is a good bipartisan effort to invest a large amount into higher education and make college finally affordable. I ask for your “yes” vote.
Senator LaSata’s second statement is as follows:
Mr. President, when it comes to our state’s economic success we are only as strong as our workforce. Enrollment declines means there will be fewer people to fill job vacancies requiring credentialed workers. This budget recognizes that by making post-secondary degrees more accessible and affordable. When our young people put in the work and demonstrate they are capable of being successful, we should ensure they have the freedom to pursue a post-secondary degree that fits their career path. Investing in our students through scholarships and retention and student supports will help college graduates get a good paying job to support themselves and importantly will strengthen Michigan’s economy. I ask that you vote “yes” on Senate Bill No. 842.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 843, entitled
A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 201, 202a, 206, 207a, 207b, 207c, 209a, 210h, 226d, 226g, 229a, and 230 (MCL 388.1801, 388.1802a, 388.1806, 388.1807a, 388.1807b, 388.1807c, 388.1809a, 388.1810h, 388.1826d, 388.1826g, 388.1829a, and 388.1830), sections 201, 206, 207a, 207b, 207c, 209a, 226d, 229a, and 230 as amended and sections 210h and 226g as added by 2021 PA 86 and section 202a as amended by 2020 PA 165, and by adding section 226f; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: