Capitol News

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed Michigan’s fiscal year 2026 education budget, marking her seventh consecutive education budget. The new budget, totaling $24.1 billion with $19.5 billion from the School Aid Fund, includes a record per-pupil funding amount of $10,050 and continues several programs aimed at supporting students and educators across the state.

Governor Whitmer said, “This education budget will help our kids learn, grow, and thrive from pre-K through college or trade school and beyond. With record per-pupil funding of more than $10,000 for every child in every school, free breakfast and lunch for all to save parents almost $1,000 a year, per kid, free pre-K and free community college for all, and even more literacy support, we’re making sure every student has the tools and opportunities they need to succeed right here in Michigan without breaking the bank. We are supporting our hardworking educators with attraction and retention bonuses and free training programs to prepare even more skilled, qualified teachers for the classroom. Finally, we’re investing in our school, community college, and university campuses so they are even safer and better places for all our students.”

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II commented on the budget’s impact: “This education budget will make a difference for kids in communities across Michigan and set future generations up for success. It builds on our historic investments in students, educators, and schools with unprecedented per-pupil funding and free breakfast and lunch for all 1.4 million public school students. We will keep students safe thanks to record funding for school safety and mental health, while exposing them to career opportunities through before- and after-school programs, expanded career and technical education, and apprenticeships. Let’s keep Standing Tall so that every student knows they can afford to stay and succeed in Michigan.”

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said, “I’m proud that we held the line and worked across the aisle to successfully deliver another historic education budget that puts the real needs of students front and center. By securing the highest ever per-pupil funding, continuing the widely successful universal school meals program, and boosting literacy programs and at-risk funding, this bipartisan budget illustrates our unwavering commitment to Michigan students, educators, and schools.”

Speaker of the House Matt Hall stated: “Michigan’s new education budget puts parents and kids first, and it’s about time we had a state budget that did that. Past budgets were stuffed full of earmarks and regulations, some of which even paid out to for-profit companies by taking money out of the classroom. That’s not right, and I’m glad we were able to come together to turn that around. This plan gives new flexibility to local districts, empowers parents to guide their children’s future, funds free breakfast and lunch, and increases funding for smaller classroom sizes. Together, we gave schools a major boost as the new year gets underway.”

State Budget Director Jen Flood added: “This education budget puts Michigan students first—whether they’re starting preschool, learning to read, preparing for college, or training for good-paying jobs. Governor Whitmer is protecting critical classroom funding, supporting our educators, and keeping college within reach for more Michigan families. Even in a year where tough decisions have been made elsewhere, education remains a priority—it is the foundation of long-term growth for Michigan.”

State Senate Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 remarked: “I am incredibly proud of the bipartisan school budget that’s being signed into law today. Senate Democrats worked hand in hand with Governor Whitmer to negotiate a budget that builds on our most successful programs – maintaining free breakfast and lunch for all students, increasing funding for at-risk schools investing in mental health and school safety grants, and raising our per pupil payment to a record high. We still have a lot of work to do, but this budget deserves credit for its sanity and clarity during this period in our country and the ongoing political chaos in Washington DC. I look forward to building on this progress in the coming years and making Michigan an event better place to raise a family and to go to school.”

State Representative Tim Kelly (R-Clinton), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid & the Department of Education commented: “While Michigan continues to be generous in supporting public education, we are still awaiting much needed progress in student performance. That said, I am pleased to support a school aid budget with an historic increase in the foundation allowance, one that fully funds all public school students regardless of the school they choose to attend. Restoring health and safety, plus food support for every child, including non-public students, an increase for at-risk kids and installing important guardrails in how funds are used and spent.”

State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) stated: “This budget proves that when House Democrats stay at the table, we deliver results that make a real difference in people’s everyday lives. We stepped up to increase per-pupil funding and ensured that kids can count on healthy meals at school. We protected at-risk funding for our most vulnerable students, maintained resources for English language learners, and prevented cuts to school mental health programs. This budget includes improvements to the classrooms where our kids learn and funding to keep our schools safe. Families can rest assured that here in Lansing we are making investments in their children so they can have successful futures.”

Daniel Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU), said: “The Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) commends Governor Whitmer and state lawmakers for coming together across party lines to champion higher education in Michigan. The budget invests directly in student success and strengthens the essential role our 15 public universities play in fueling innovation, driving economic growth, and preparing the workforce of tomorrow. It represents meaningful progress toward more stable, sustained funding for higher education and a stronger, more prosperous future for Michigan.”

Brandy Johnson, President of the Michigan Community College Association said: “Michigan’s community and tribal colleges applaud this budget for sustaining critical student scholarships like the Community College Guarantee, part of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and Michigan Reconnect. These investments keep higher education within reach for recent high school graduates and adult learners alike, ensuring more residents can earn the skills and credentials needed to succeed in today’s workforce and strengthen Michigan’s economy.”

Tonya Whitehead PhD., President of Michigan PTA commented: “This budget makes meaningful investments in Michigan’s students — from continued free meals to mental-health supports — and that’s worth celebrating. As we move forward, we hope future budgets will arrive on time, with even greater transparency and family input. Public funds should continue to strengthen our public schools, where every child is welcome and every dollar makes a difference.”

Erin Skene-Pratt of the Michigan After School Partnership (MASP) said: “We are deeply grateful for the Governor’s continued commitment to Michigan’s young people, and for the bipartisan support we achieved through the FY26 budget process. This investment in before- and afterschool programs, as well as summer learning opportunities, reflects a clear understanding that learning doesn’t end when the school day does. By supporting school-time and out-of-school-time programs together, our state is giving every child—no matter their ZIP code—the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.”

Jennifer Tuksal from Rochester Hills’ Parent Alliance for Safe Schools said: “As Michigan parents, we want to thank Gov. Whitmer and legislators from both parties for coming together and putting our children first. By putting aside their political differences, our elected leaders ensured that no child in Michigan starts the school day hungry and every child gets the nutrition and energy they need to learn, thrive and succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

The budget allocates $657 million to expand free pre-K access statewide regardless of family income. An additional $593.5 million supports school operations through a 4.6% increase in base per-pupil funding—an increase of $442 per student over last year’s amount—bringing it to $10,050 per pupil.

The budget also provides $321 million dedicated to student mental health services and school safety needs; $274 million goes toward increased support for academically at-risk students including English language learners; $248.1 million continues universal free meals in public schools; $203 million funds educator recruitment/retention stipends; up to $200 million is set aside for infrastructure improvements; $190.9 million continues expanded special education services; $142 million supports career/technical education operations; $125 million continues transportation support; $122 million goes toward literacy initiatives; $75 million supports before/after-school programming; $25 million continues preschool programs; $10 million provides startup grants; $6.1 million supports partnership districts.

For higher education/workforce development efforts: $1.8 billion supports university operations; $380 million funds tuition-free pathways via the Michigan Achievement Scholarship; over 62 thousand scholarships were awarded in 2024-25 with 120 thousand expected once fully implemented; $375 million supports community colleges; $122.3 million funds the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP); $42 million supports Michigan Reconnect tuition-free pathways.