Capitol News

Rep. Meerman expressed his disappointment with Governor Whitmer's recent proposal to divert $670 million from the Michigan Public School Employee's Retirement System (MPSERS), which is already $30 million in debt. Meerman criticized the governor's plan, calling it irresponsible and politically motivated.

Meerman had previously introduced a bill that aimed to pay down the MPSERS debt by $1 billion, using a portion of the state's budget surplus of nearly $9 billion. This proposal would have saved taxpayers $1.5 billion overall and allowed more funds to be allocated towards educating students. However, Meerman's bill failed to gain attention from the House Appropriations Committee, and an amendment to allocate the same funding was rejected in the School Aid and Michigan Department of Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

"The governor's plan to divert $670 million in MPSERS payments is irresponsible and just more of the political theatrics we have already seen from her," Meerman stated. "We owe it to taxpayers to clean our debt and commit to the proper use of their dollars so future Michiganders are not burdened with even more money. This proposal is careless and demonstrates the governor's continued commitment to her political future over the future of Michigan."

Meerman also accused Governor Whitmer of prioritizing her own pet projects and seeking positive headlines in the press, at the expense of the state's financial stability and the education system.

The governor's proposal has sparked criticism from those who believe that diverting funds from the teacher retirement system is not a sustainable solution. Critics argue that it is essential to address the existing debt and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

The debate surrounding the funding of public education in Michigan continues, with lawmakers and stakeholders advocating for different approaches to address the state's financial challenges. As the discussion unfolds, it remains to be seen how the governor and legislators will navigate this contentious issue and find a resolution that serves the best interests of Michigan and its students.