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Whitmer's veto of reading scholarships sparks voucher debate

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.

Credit: AP

FILE - In this July 12, 2021, file photo, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a vaccine mobilization event before Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage at the TCF Center in Detroit. Gov. Whitmer's reelection campaign said Tuesday, July 20, 2021, it raised $8.5 million to date this year, the most for any gubernatorial candidate in a non-election year in Michigan history. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

LANSING, Mich. — 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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