LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, shared her thoughts on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State address, expressing concerns about the priorities outlined by the governor.
In her statement, Sen. Johnson highlighted the governor’s focus on free community college for all students, while pointing out the troubling statistics from a commission’s report. She stated, “According to her own commission’s report, two-thirds of our fourth and eighth graders aren’t proficient in reading or math.” Sen. Johnson emphasized the need to address these educational challenges before allocating resources to other initiatives.
Sen. Johnson also raised concerns about Michigan’s educational rankings, stating, “Michigan’s fourth-grade reading scores have dropped 11 spots nationally since 2019 to 43rd out of 50 states.” She emphasized the importance of prioritizing education and ensuring that Michigan’s children are adequately prepared for academic success.
The senator criticized the allocation of funds by the Democratic party, stating, “Instead of investing in education or fixing the roads, Democrats blew through a record $9 billion surplus largely on corporate welfare and one-time special projects.” She also expressed disappointment in the governor and the Democrat-controlled Legislature for weakening accountability standards in schools.
Sen. Johnson highlighted specific actions taken by the governor that she believes have hindered educational progress. “The governor has signed bills to stop reporting A-F grades for school performance, eliminate student growth as a factor in evaluating teachers, and change the law to base teacher pay on years of service rather than merit,” she stated. She emphasized that while making promises may be politically advantageous, the governor’s actions are not benefiting the children or the state as a whole.
In conclusion, Sen. Ruth Johnson called for a renewed focus on improving education and holding schools accountable for the success of their students. She voiced her commitment to advocating for the best interests of Michigan’s children and state, urging the governor to prioritize educational reforms.
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Senator Ruth Johnson
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
