Michigan Families One Step Closer to Education Freedom

On Wednesday, a group working to expand education freedom in Michigan, Let MI Kids Learn, turned in more than 520,000 signatures to the Michigan Bureau of Elections, far exceeding the number of signatures needed to take a major step toward expanding school choice in the state.

Statement from Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children:

“Those fighting for education freedom in Michigan collected 180,000 more signatures than were required, a testament to the hard work of those on the ground fighting for students, and a clear sign that voters want, and families deserve, school choice. Now, it’s up to the legislature to continue putting kids first and expand education freedom and opportunity in Michigan.”

Details:

• Once the signatures are validated, the legislature will have the opportunity to adopt a tax-credit scholarship program that was vetoed by Governor Whitmer in 2021.
• The scholarship program would give parents more flexibility when it comes to their child’s education and would allow them to use scholarship funds for pre-approved education expenditures, including private school tuition, school supplies, and additional tutoring.
• The $500 million tax credit funded ESA will be one of the nation’s largest, with some of the most expansive allowable uses in the country, including significant options for those in public school and kids with disabilities.
• AFC and AFC Growth Fund invested more than $300,000 into Let MI Kids Learn petition gathering campaign.