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Whitmer's veto of reading scholarships sparks voucher debate

Governor Gretchen Whitmer
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivers here 2021 State of the State address.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
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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.

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