LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday defended the budget proposal she sent to the Legislature this week.
While meeting with students on Friday at Northeast Elementary School in Jackson, she spoke about her plan, which changes the way schools are funded in Michigan.
She expects it will cost $500 million, helping districts meet the needs of special education, at-risk and vocational students.
One goal is to close the gap between wealthy and poor schools and allow them to add extra programs.
She's faced some pushback from critics who say it's unrealistic, along with the other proposals in her budget.
But the governor says students need the investment.
"It would be the biggest investment in education in a generation of Michigan kids. It means we would have equitable funding to pull kids up from poverty, who are special-education students. It represents $330 per pupil for kids in Jackson schools," Whitmer said.
The governor was also asked about her campaign promise to remove Jackson County Sheriff Steven Rand from office.
She says that request has been received and is being looked at right now.
