• Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
Mostly Cloudy

Marquette
Mostly Cloudy 54°

Mostly Cloudy

Escanaba
Mostly Cloudy 57°

Clear

Houghton
Clear 55°

Mostly Clear

Iron Mountain
Mostly Clear 59°

Watch
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result

2 Weather Alerts

View Details »

Michigan Leaders Highlight Debate Over School Aid Budget, Free Meal Programs

by Sophia Murphy
September 2, 2025 - Updated on September 3, 2025
A A

LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – State leaders sat down with Lansing elementary students for lunch this morning, underscoring the ongoing debate over funding for free school breakfast and lunch programs as lawmakers work to finalize Michigan’s next budget.

House and Senate negotiators are weighing whether to keep “categorical” funding streams in the School Aid budget. These categories set aside money for specific programs such as free meals, special education, and English language learner support.

House Republicans have proposed removing many of these categories and redirecting the money into higher overall per-pupil funding, giving school districts more flexibility to decide how the funds are spent. Democrats argue that without protected categories, programs that serve vulnerable students could be put at risk.

“To start the day, we need to make sure our kids have at the very least food, so they are there to focus on learning and they don’t have to think about their basic human needs,” said Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing).

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist joined Lansing kindergarteners for lunch at Riddle Elementary, stressing the importance of protecting free meal funding in particular.


“This is not about the Republicans winning a negotiation or the Democrats winning a negotiation,” Gilchrist said. “These kids need to win the negotiation about being able to eat at school.”

Lansing School District Superintendent Ben Shuldiner said categorical funding helps ensure resources reach students who need them most.

“You have this wonderful baseline that’s going to support everybody, and then look at different populations that need extra support,” Shuldiner said. He added that while some flexibility for schools could be helpful, categorical funding for programs like meals and special education is critical.

Lawmakers face a September 30 deadline to pass a new state budget. If they miss it, Michigan risks a government shutdown. School districts are also facing pressure, as their state funding checks are due October 10.

Get WZMQ 19 anytime, anywhere

Download the app

AppleAndroid

Watch on TV

RokuFire TVZeam

Connect on social media

FacebookTwitterInstagram

More

News

Canal Colors Festival combines fall festivities and beautiful views into one weekend

October 3, 2025 - Updated on October 6, 2025
News

Michigan lawmakers pass $80B budget, Record Per Pupil Funding, Minus Copperwood Mine Infrastructure Funding

October 3, 2025 - Updated on October 6, 2025
The students arriving for this class are, unlike other students, these juniors and seniors are actually working on cold case files for the Michigan State Police.
News

NMU students investigate cold cases

October 2, 2025 - Updated on October 3, 2025
The Northern Michigan University presidential search advisory committee held its second of four candidate forums Thursday.
News

NMU continues presidential search

October 2, 2025 - Updated on October 3, 2025
News

Upper Hand Brewery, Delta Animal Shelter to host ‘Bags for Wags’ cornhole tournaments

October 2, 2025
News

United Steelworkers, Women of Steel ‘Strike for Hunger’ in Delta County once again

October 2, 2025
Next Post

Planning Commission finalizes review for apartment complex in Marquette General Hospital Parking lot

Insights: Marquette business to host Cut for a Cause

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Events
  • Programming
  • Station
WZMQ CBS | 19 News

© 2025 WZMQ, LLC | FCC Public File | EEO Report

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our privacy policy.