State Rep. Rodney Wakeman, of Saginaw Township, today introduced a plan to restore crucial funding that provides charter schools with an additional $240 per-pupil increase for the nearly 150,000 charter school students across Michigan, money previously stripped out of the state budget through a line-item veto by Gov. Whitmer.

When signing budget bills for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, Gov. Whitmer cut $35 million from the school aid fund for public charter schools, negatively affecting students receiving an education in Saginaw County and across the state.

“It’s unfortunate the governor has chosen to use students as political pawns for her 45-cent gas tax increase,” Wakeman said. “We must restore funding for public charter schools –students are students no matter which school they attend. It’s important we provide every child in Michigan an equal opportunity at an adequate education, as well as allow parents to place their children in schools where they see fit. To think charter schools are less deserving of funding than other public schools is absolutely absurd. I am hopeful the governor will have a change of heart this time around, do what’s right, and give charter school students the same opportunities.”