LANSING, Mich. — Senate Education and Career Readiness Chairwoman Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, released the following statement Friday, after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed legislation that would have empowered parents with Michigan Opportunity Scholarship Accounts that could be used by families for school-related expenses — both inside and outside the classroom — to help improve student achievement:

“After more than a year of government mandates, closed schools, lost learning, stress and anxiety, parents desire, and deserve, more of a say in their children’s education. The Let Kids Learn plan would have done that, with a creative approach to allow parents more involvement and students better educational outcomes.

“Unfortunately, and to the detriment of Michigan students, Gov. Whitmer is afraid of anything that would limit her power and control. Instead of empowering parents to give students — especially students with special needs or from underserved communities — better opportunities to learn and succeed, the governor has again rejected progress for the same old, tired, and failing approach to education, because she is beholden to the teachers’ unions and their generous donations.

“But make no mistake: the Let Kids Learn plan is not about politics, unlike the governor’s veto. This plan is all about giving kids a fair and equal opportunity to learn and succeed academically, no matter a student’s background. We should be doing more to support parents who want to have a more active role in their children’s education, not less. Today, Gov. Whitmer closed the door to better learning and brighter futures for our kids, and that is a shame.”

G1NBC Livingston County MI