Good morning reader, As the calendar turns to February, Lansing’s new Democratic majority is churning through legislation at lighting speed, despite a razor-thin majority. Their pace is prompting complaints that they’re setting aside stated goals of bipartisanship and transparency for the sake of expediency, but Democrats say Republicans don’t like the taste of their own medicine. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a $1.1 billion spending bill Tuesday, while the Legislature passed measures to move up the state’s presidential primaries, to Republicans’ chagrin. In the Senate Tuesday, a Democratic-led Senate education committee passed a bill that would remove the requirement that third graders a year or more behind in reading must repeat the grade. It now goes to the full Senate. In other Michigan news: Michigan has a once-in-a-generation amount of money and political will to revamp how it funds public schools. Education reporter Isabel Lohman chronicles how Democrats are trying to ensure that low-income, special education and other vulnerable students get the funding they need to succeed. East Lansing Public Schools was among several districts that trimmed school security personnel in past years to devote limited funds to other priorities. Now, following a series of fights and other disruptions at its high school, district leaders are reversing course. The challenges underscore the urgency shown by state officials to boost security and safety in Michigan schools. The number of newly reported COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Michigan continues to fall. Thanks for reading Bridge Michigan. Please consider a donation to our nonprofit newsroom. – David Zeman See other newsletter options Democrats, out of power for decades, passing bills in record time in Lansing The party is wasting no time after regaining control of the Senate and the House. Republicans grouse the breakneck pace is reckless, but Democrats say the GOP is getting a ‘taste of their own medicine.’ Support nonprofit Michigan news Did you know only 1.8% of Bridge readers support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation? We are public-powered and we need your help to grow and sustain. Please do your part and join the 8,975 members who value independent Michigan journalism. See our member benefits Democrats win, GOP upset as Michigan votes to move up presidential primary President Biden supports making Michigan one of the first states in the nation to host primaries. Republicans say doing so could hurt state delegates and is like ‘spitting in the face of half of the state.’ Michigan Senate panel removes flunking from third grade reading law Democratic lawmakers are moving quickly to remove the part of the state’s third grade reading law that requires students a year or more behind to repeat the grade. The bill passed out of a Senate committee Tuesday. Can more cash transform Michigan’s middling schools? We may find out soon A once-in-a-generation influx of money is allowing education advocates to debate reforms to a school system that has underperformed for decades East Lansing cut school security. After several fights, it reversed course East Lansing Public Schools was among several Michigan districts that reduced security years ago to address other budget concerns. But this year has been marked by reports of guns, fights and intimidation, leading school officials to change direction. Coronavirus Tracker | Cases down 6th straight week; hospitalizations at lowest level since April Twitter Facebook Website Instagram Email Too many Bridge emails? Update your preferences Never want another Bridge email? Unsubscribe here This email was sent to: Cb31450@gmail.com Copyright © 2023 The Center for Michigan • 220 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197