LANSING, Mich. — A Republican-led education budget that would ban the sale of pop and candy on school grounds is advancing in the Michigan House after surviving a committee challenge.
The proposed K-12 School Aid budget restricts state funding for schools that sell pop, candy, and foods containing certain ingredients, including several food dyes.
While current law already prohibits schools from selling those items through state-funded breakfast and lunch programs, the new budget expands the ban to include school stores and vending machines.
The restrictions sparked pushback during a recent subcommittee meeting. Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Walker) introduced an amendment to strike the proposed definitions and funding restrictions from the legislation, arguing the ban would create unnecessary red tape for schools.
The amendment failed in a 12-16 roll call vote, keeping the restrictive language in the version of the budget that the committee ultimately adopted and advanced.
Subcommittee Chair Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw Township) argued that the heavy focus on the pop and candy rules trivializes the substantial work included in the rest of the legislation.
"We increased funding across the board for literacy, math, and science, improve scores in all areas. We continue to fund transportation at $125 million." Rep. Kelly said at the hearing. "We continue to fund school infrastructure at $100 million. We're on board with our universal breakfast."
The overall proposed school aid fund is more than $200,000 larger than Governor Gretchen Whitmer's recommendation.
It also successfully secures increased funding for English Language Learners and at-risk students.
