East Michigan News

State Representative Tom Kunse, a Republican from Clare, expressed his concerns about government transparency and education in response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address. Rep. Kunse criticized the governor for failing to address transparency legislation that was mandated by voters through a constitutional amendment. He also raised concerns about the governor's proposal for two free years of community college tuition for all high school graduates.

Rep. Kunse, who serves as the Republican vice chair of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee, highlighted the lack of progress in transparency legislation, stating, "Five years after announcing her Michigan Sunshine Plan, the governor failed to even mention the historically inadequate transparency legislation she signed last year. Her silence is deafening. Gov. Whitmer talked endlessly about sunshine when she came into office. Six years later, both Lansing and our transparency laws are covered in fog."

In addition to transparency issues, Rep. Kunse also raised concerns about the state of Michigan's education system. He pointed out that the state ranks near the bottom in reading scores, with seven out of every ten fourth graders unable to read proficiently. Despite these alarming statistics, Rep. Kunse noted that the state's education spending continues to outpace inflation by $2 billion.

Regarding the governor's proposal for free community college tuition, Rep. Kunse emphasized the potential cost and the need for fiscal responsibility. He stated, "There is nothing more expensive than when a politician talks about offering free college. The governor can offer the moon, but someone has to pay to send all these kids to school. Elected officials should lower taxes so folks can decide what they want to do with their money. Instead, the governor would prefer ignoring trade schools and forcing as many kids into liberal colleges and universities as possible."

Rep. Kunse's remarks highlight the need for government transparency and a focus on improving Michigan's education system. He believes that the governor's failure to address transparency legislation and her proposal for free community college tuition are not addressing the fundamental issues facing the state. With Michigan's low reading scores and excessive education spending, Rep. Kunse suggests that elected officials should prioritize lowering taxes and providing more options for students, including trade schools, to ensure a well-rounded and effective education system.