Whitmer’s veto of reading scholarships sparks voucher debate

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s veto of $155 million in proposed spending on reading scholarships for students has sparked fresh criticism from opponents who say it would have addressed pandemic-related learning loss and approval from those who liken the grants to vouchers.

The Democratic governor struck the Republican-backed program while signing a $17 billion school budget this month.

It would have been funded with federal COVID-19 aid. The Republican-controlled House unsuccessfully tried to override the veto last week.

The funding would have gone to Grand Valley State University to disburse up to $1,000 each to public K-5 students not proficient in reading.