LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Lana Theis on Wednesday questioned the logic of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s line-item veto of a $155 million reading scholarship program that was included in the fiscal year 2022 School Aid budget to support schoolchildren between kindergarten and fifth grade who are considered less than proficient in reading.
“Not being able to read at grade level negatively effects all other aspects of a student’s schooling, with potentially lifelong consequences,” said Theis, R-Brighton, who chairs the Senate Education and Career Readiness Committee. “It is terribly sad that our governor lets petty politics keep our kids from accessing scholarships to help them achieve one of the most important milestones in their lives.”
The program would have provided up to $1,000 for eligible students for reading materials, literacy programs and tutoring services.
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