Michigan lawmakers and teachers are rallying behind President Joe Biden and recalling the struggles public schools have faced since President Trump installed Betsy DeVos as president.
LANSING—With about six months until absentee ballots begin arriving in millions of mailboxes across Michigan ahead of November's presidential election, state lawmakers and teachers are worried about President Joe Biden. It draws a striking contrast between former President Donald Trump.
And Mitchell Robinson, a member of the Michigan State Board of Education and a professor at Michigan State University, said that when it comes to which candidate will do more to support Michigan's public schools, Biden or Trump. He said his track record speaks for itself.
“Look no further than President Trump nominating Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education,” Robinson said at a news conference in downtown Lansing Tuesday morning. “You can see how much President Trump cares about our education system.”
This week's event in Lansing was part of a national event. “Educators for Biden-Harris” Campaign The plan aims to engage teachers and parents and focuses on how the Biden administration is strengthening the public education system, advocating for students, and supporting teachers.
Robinson was joined by state Sen. Dana Polehanki and state Rep. Matt Corral, both former teachers, and federal officials. Michigan Education Associationa union representing approximately 120,000 teachers, support professionals and higher education employees across the state.
Robinson was the only one to mention DeVos by name on Tuesday, but each took time to talk about her tenure in the Trump administration and how the billionaire, who has never actually received a public education, is president. I took some time to reflect on what it was like to be appointed as election director. Public education nationwide.
“President Biden actually installed a true educator, Miguel Cardona, as secretary of education,” said Brett Smith, vice president of the Michigan Education Association. “And I won't comment on who Donald Trump installed as Secretary of Education.”
Remember Betsy?
Betsy DeVos, a Michigan billionaire and longtime Republican backer. appointed by President Trump In 2016, he became Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. She held the position for nearly the entirety of President Trump's term. Resign in 2021 In response to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
A former Michigan Republican Party chair and president of the American Federation for Children, an advocacy group, DeVos is a major donor to numerous organizations with missions centered on education and infusing religion into education. or have been active as a leader for decades. Privatizing public schools under the misleading banner of “school choice.”
she It is also a driving force behind the proliferation of charter schools in Michigan, most of which have student test scores below the state average. The Washington Post reported.
And DeVos, who has no experience in education or school governance (or any other relevant public education qualifications), Among the most controversial appointments President Trump's announcement clearly shows where support for public schools is on his priority list.
“Michigan residents need not be reminded of the former Secretary of Education,” CorĂ©zal added. “Thankfully, we were able to go and see Secretary Cardona, who is doing a great job.”
“Every chance he gets is thwarted.”
During my tenure, Ms. DeVos has repeatedly clashed with Democratic lawmakers over nearly every policy related to funding public education, including pushing for a voucher-like program in Michigan in 2022. Threatened to divert $500 million in tax revenue to public schools.
As Secretary of Education, she has repeatedly proposed deep cuts to federal education spending. And she also faced criticism when she claimed DeVos. She says the U.S. Department of Education, which she once led, 'shouldn't exist' In a speech at the ultra-conservative Moms for Freedom Summit in 2022.
Robinson said this week that she was “afraid” that someone like DeVos could take back the reins of the Education Department if Trump wins the November presidential election.
“I'm tired of teachers and school board members being targeted with trumped-up talking points.” [critical race theory], toilets, school toilets and banned books,” he said. “It's exhausting and counterproductive. It's all because the other side of the aisle doesn't have a positive vision for public education, because their real goal is to destroy public education, or at least as a component. Because it's about selling it off.”
Polehanki and other lawmakers also acknowledged that the Biden administration has lessened the damage caused by the DeVos and Trump administrations, investing $170 billion in public schools. Marks the largest federal investment in public education in U.S. history.
The American Rescue Plan included at least the following: $5 billion to support Michigan schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. And Biden's efforts Cancel student loan debt for 870,000 educators and public servants Lawmakers say it also serves as a “lifeline” for Michiganders.
“Teachers are the backbone of our future, and if we don't support them, the seams of our society could start to come apart,” Polehanki said at a press conference this week. “They know that Biden is trying to make their lives easier, but Trump is putting up roadblocks at every turn.”
CorĂ©zar also praised Biden for his “most important accomplishments.” gun safety law He said this shows that classroom safety is a “top priority” for the Biden administration.
“But I have absolutely no doubt that all of this progress will be in jeopardy if Donald Trump becomes president for a second term,” CorĂ©zar said at a news conference. “Donald Trump has abandoned our educators and students. We will not give him such an opportunity again.”
a poll A 2022 survey by Lake Effect and Progress Michigan found that only 8% of Michiganders have a favorable opinion of DeVos, while 50% have a negative opinion. found. About 44% of those surveyed said an endorsement from DeVos would make them less likely to support a candidate, while only 4% said they were more likely to support a candidate supported by DeVos. Ta.
“What Mr. Trump doesn't understand is that teachers are persistent. We know how to put in the work, and we know how to advocate for ourselves,” Polehanki added. “So if President Trump thinks we're going to forget how he treated us during his presidency, he's going to do something else. ”
The presidential election is November 5th. Early voting begins on October 26th. Absentee ballots will begin to be mailed out on September 26th. here Learn more and register to vote.
read more: Funding Anti-Public Schools Billionaire Mike Rogers' Senate Campaign
For the latest Michigan news, follow us Gander on Twitter.
Follow political correspondent Kyle Kaminsky here.