Rep. Jamie Thompson Voted Against Increased Funding For Public Schools

Rep. Jamie Thompson is the Republican incumbent running for reelection in House District 28. According to her campaign website, Rep. Thompson says, “I will continue to advocate for policies that create new and better jobs, give our kids a stronger education and keep our neighborhoods safe.” However, Rep Thompson voted against SB 173, which increased funding for public schools, including free school meals for all students, expanding the pre-K program and increased funding for tutoring. 

Rep. Thompson has also been endorsed by the Great Lakes Education Project, which supports school voucher programs that direct funding away from traditional public schools. The Great Lakes Education Project was founded by Betsy DeVos, who served as the U.S. Secretary of Education under former President Donald Trump. 

The Democratic candidate in House District 28, Janise O’Neil Robinson, has listed “improving education” as one of her key priorities. O’Neil Robinson says, “[a]s a special education teacher for nearly 30 years, I know first hand the challenges that students and educators face. While I was working in our public schools, I fought against Betsy DeVos-led efforts to redirect education dollars away from public schools toward for-profit schools.”

O’Neil Robinson says she will support free school lunches for Michigan public schools, stating, “I have advocated for legislation to provide free meals to all Pre K-12 students in our public schools, historic increases in per pupil funding, and 100% funding for special education, for the first time ever!”