.

THANKS FOR TUNING IN OUR GUEST THIS WEEK, SENATOR DARRIN CAMILLERI.

THAT'S OUR LEAD STORY, $9700 FOR EVERY STUDENT MAY BE GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS SOON.

ZOE CLARK, SAMANTHA SHRIBER AND CRAIG MAUGER SIT IN WITH US AS WE GET THE INSIDE OUT, "OFF THE RECORD."

PRODUCTION OF OFF THE RECORD IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARTIN WAYMIRE, A FALL SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY PARTNERING WITH CLIENTS THROUGH PUBLIC RELATIONS, DIGITAL MARKETING AND PUBLIC POLICY ENGAGEMENT.

LEARN MORE AT MARTINWAYMIRE.COM.

AND NOW THIS EDITION OF "OFF THE RECORD" WITH TIM PSYCH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WELCOME TO STUDIO C AS WE CONTINUE WITH THE EDITION OF OFTEN THE RECORD.

THE SCHOOL AID BUDGET $9700 BUCKS HER KID.

THEY WENT CA-CHING... >> YEAH, OBVIOUSLY ON THE SENATE SIDE YOU HAVE AN APPROPRIATION SUBCOMMITTEE THAT JUST MOVED OUT A WORTH OF $27.7 MILLION.

AND NOT ONLY IS THAT A BIG ALLOWANCE BUT EXTENDS THE TRADITIONAL K THROUGH 12 FOUNDATION ALLOWANCE TO NOW COVER 4-YEAR-OLDS ATTENDING PRESCHOOL.

HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK THAT THE ONLY STORY HERE WITH BUDGET SEASON IS GOING TO BE HISTORIC BUDGETS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE THAT WHILE THE GOVERNOR DOES HAVE THESE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITIES, IT DONALD MEAN THAT SHE'S GOING TO GET EVERYTHING SHE WANTS.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, LET'S FLASHBACK TO FEBRUARY, SHE PUTS OUT THIS EXECUTIVE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION THAT WOULD TAKE A 9.2 BILLION SURPLUS, BRING IT DOWN TO $250 MILLION, A TOUGHEN SPENDING, AND THEN LAST WEEK, YOU KNOW, FLASHING FORWARD, WE HAVE THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MOVING OUT 7 STATE BUDGET RELSES.

AND THIS IS PRETTY NON-CONTROVERSIAL, DNR, AGRICULTURAL, INSURANCE.

>>> RUN OF THE MILL STUFF.

>> EXACTLY.

BUT THE GOVERNOR IS ALREADY ALIGNED TO LOSE AROUND $280 MILLION OF WITH WHAT SHE HAD REQUESTED, IF YOU INCLUDE EDUCATION, IF YOU INCLUDE GENERAL GOVERNMENT, IF YOU INCLUDE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SHE COULD GET MORE THAN $720 MILLION LESS THAN WHAT SHE REQUESTED.

>> Z, YOUR TAKE.

>> WE'RE IN THE SOUP RIGHT NOW WHERE EVERYBODY IS THROWING THEIR INGREDIENTS IN AND MIXING IT UP AND THE HOUSE IS DOING THEIR BUDGETS, THE SENATE DOING THEIR BUDGETS.

PER SAM'S POINT, THE GOVERNOR RECOMMENDED HER EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION IN FEBRUARY AND SO THIS IS WHERE THEY'RE STARTING TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO COOK.

I MEAN, WHAT'S REALLY INTERESTING I THINK TO SAM'S POINT IS THE IDEA THAT THEY'RE GOING TO NEED SOME REPUBLICAN SUPPORT IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT TO FIGURING OUT AND WATCHING THE DHEELS WILL BE MADE FROM NOW UNTIL JULY 1, AND WE'LL TALK TO THE SENATOR ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND WHEN THE BUDGET IS ACTUALLY GOING TO GET DONE.

>> IT'S KIND OF LIKE OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE HITTING THE STRETCH WEATHER WHERE POTHOLES ARE OPENING UP ALL OVER OUR ROADS.

I THINK IN LANSING SOME POTHOLES ARE STARTING TO OPEN UP.

DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY WERE UNIFIED ON, THAT WERE GOING TO BE EASY FOR THEM TO DO, AND NOW THEY'RE GETTING TO THIS POINT AND THINKING WHAT'S NEXT.

WHAT'S THE NEXT POLICY ITEM, HOW ARE WE GONNA GET THIS BUDGET THRURK IT'S GOING TO GET MORE DIFFICULT.

>> THE DIFFERENCE THOUGH, IT'S GOING TO -- ABSOLUTELY IT'S GOING TO GET MORE DIFFICULT, THE DIFFERENCE THERE IS THIS HISTORIC AMOUNT OF MONEY AND YOU IN SOME RESPECTS IT'S LIKE WHICH IS HARDER, RIGHT, WHEN YOU HAVE A LITTLE POOL OF MONEY OR WHEN YOU HAVE SO MUCH MONEY.

$20 BILLION, IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

>> WELL, WHEN THERE IS A POT OF MONEY IT'S TOUGHER BECAUSE EVERYBODY WANTS A PIECE IT.

>> AND CHRIS COLTON WHO WAS THE BUDGET DIRECTOR BEFORE SAID, NOT SO CLOSE.

>> WELL, THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO FEED EVERY KID, BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

>> BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT LET'S NOT FORGET THEY'VE GIVEN AWAY A LOT OF MONEY ALREADY.

THEY GAVE AWAY A LOT OF MONEY TO BUSINESSES TRYING TO LURE THEM TO LOCATE HERE.

THEY DID TAX RELIEF THAT'S TAKING A BILLION DOLLARS OUT OF FUTURE BUDGET SO THEY DON'T HAVE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY ONCE DID, THEY CAN'T DO THE GOVERNOR'S FULL PROPOSAL.

>> I THINK THE BIG BUDGET TO WATCH OUT FOR WILL BE THE LEO BUDGET THAT CONTAINS THE SORE FUND WHICH IS MICHIGAN'S GIGANTIC INCENTIVE, A HONEY POT, SO YOU HAVE THAT SENATE APPROPRIATION SUBCOMMITTEE THAT'S LED BY SENATOR MARY KAVANAUGH AND SHE SAID, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW THIS 10-YEAR $500 MILLION ANNUAL DEPOSIT INTO THE SORE FUND TO HAPPEN AS LONG AS WE HAVE THE EXCESS CORPORATE INCOME TAX REVENUE.

HOWEVER, THERE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE RULES.

THEY PUT FORWARD THAT IF A COMPANY THAT GETS THE SORE FUND MONEY IT SAYS THAT OKAY, WE ARE GONNA HAVE 1500, 2500 JOBS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO VALIDATE THAT THOSE JOBS STAY THERE TWO TO FOUR YEARS AFTERWARD.

IF NOT, THE MINUTE'S GONE.

>> THEY ALWAYS SAY THAT.

THEY ALWAYS SAY, THAT BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER THE STATE EVER GOING TO PUT A GUN TO THEIR HEAD, GIVE US THE MONEY BACK BECAUSE IT DIDN'T PAY OFF.

ED LANGUAGE IS ONE THING, THE REALITY IS ANOTHER.

BY WANT TO GET TO THIS POINT, WHEN YOU SPEND THIS MUCH MAKE-UP ON EDUCATION, WAS THERE ANY THOUGHT ABOUT THE LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS BECAUSE ONCE THIS IS BAKED INTO THE PIE, DOWN THE ROAD WHEN WE HAVE THE MICHIGAN RECESSION OR ANYTHING WORSE THAN THAT, IT'S HARD TO MEET THAT NUMBER.

>> AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT, RIGHT, IS THIS IDEA OF THESE ONE-TIME INCREASES.

BUT WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

I GUESS I GO BACK TO 2011 WHEN RICK SNYDER TOOK OVER AFTER THE GREAT RECESSION AND THE DRAMATIC, DRAMATIC CUTS THAT WERE MADE TO THE SCHOOL BUDGET.

>> 15% TO HIGHER ED.

>> AND SOME OF THAT HAVE WAS BECAUSE THERE WERE BUSINESS TAX BREAKS AND ALL OF THAT, BUT I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING AGAIN WE'LL TALK TO THE GUEST BESIDE THIS, BUT WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS KIND OF FUND SOMETHING SUSTAINABLE.

TO YOUR POINT, WE ARE SEEING EDITIONS THAT DEMOCRATS WANT $160 MILLION FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

>> A HUGE PART OF THE BUDGET IS ALSO $250 MILLION FOR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT WORKER TOES START PAYING OFF THEIR STUDENT LOANS.

YOU KNOW, RETENTION AND ATTRACTION IS A BIG PART OF THIS BUDGET.

AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN A COUPLE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD YOU'RE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE INCENTIVES TO GET PEOPLE TO DO THIS.

>> SOMEBODY SAID THE ONLY THING THAT'S MISSING IS A NEW CAR FOR EVERY TEACHER IN THIS BUDGET.

>> EVERY YEAR THEY'RE TRYING TO DO A RECORD AMOUNT OF FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS, AND ONCE YOU SENATE PRECEDENT, AS THE GOVERNOR, HAS IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE AND MORE MONEY TO DO THAT.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, THINK ABOUT THIS PRESCHOOL INITIATIVE, THIS IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO BASICALLY BUILD UP A PROGRAM, YOU KNOW, FROM NTHING, GET IT GOING WHERE YOU CAN OFFER PRESCHOOL TO EVERYONE, DHOANT HAVE THE STAFF TO DO IT.

HOW DO YOU GET THE STAFF?

YOU GOTTA WRITE SOME BIG CHECK TOES LURE PEOPLE TO COME WORK IN THESE JOBS.

>> AND THEY ARE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL STUFF, ARE THEY NOT?

>> THEY ARE.

AND IT'S GONNA BE A TRICKY SITUATION TO FIGURE OUT BECAUSE IT'S ONE THING TO SAY, HEY, UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL, LET'S DO IT.

THAT LOOKS DIFFERENTLY TO EVERYONE, AND THEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE GROUND WHO RUN THESE PROGRAMS ARE SAYING TO DO THIS RIGHT, WE NEED A LOT MORE MONEY.

EVEN MORE THAN WHAT GOVERNOR WHITMER HAS PROPOSED.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU NEED TO DO TO GET PRESCHOOL KIDS IN EARLY?

>> WELL, TEACHERS.

YOU NEED PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOMS AND IT'S NOT LIKE A CLASS WHEN IT COMES TO THE RATIO OF STUDENTS TO -- TEACHERS TO STUDENTS.

AND WE HAVE A TEACHER SHORTAGE.

SOME OF THESE TEACH THAT'S RIGHT WOULD WORK IN A PRESCHOOL ARE SOUGHT AFTER FOR OTHER JOBS.

I HAD AN EDUCATION OFFICIAL TELL ME SHE WAS COMPETING WITH McDONALD'S FOR PEOPLE TO WORK IN THE CLASSROOM WHEN IT COMES TO THE SALARY.

>> THE STATUTE OF LEGISLATION CAME UP AGAIN, THE LARRY NASSAR STORY AND UNION STORY HAS COME BACK INTO PLAY IN OUR TOWN.

>> YEAH, SOME SENATORS -- BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE.

THERE'S STILL SOME SENATE BILLS WAITING BUT IT WAS A BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION EVENTUALLY AND THIS IS BASICALLY SURVIVORS BIFFLE RITES.

-- BILL OF RIGHTS AND LENGTHENING THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

>> NOW THE AGE OF 52.

>> YEAH, FROM 28, AND WITH THE RESEARCH AND DATA THAT SHOW THAT'S ACTUALLY CLOSER TO THE TIME THAT SURVIVORS FINALLY FEEL OKAY AND READY.

I DON'T KNOW IF OKAY IS THE PROPER WORD.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS OKAY BUT READY TO TELL THEIR STORIES AND COME FORWARD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.

>> IT'S TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

IT'S TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE TYPES OF IMPACTS THAT THIS ABUSE HAS ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S PSYCHOLOGY.

AND I THINK REPRESENTATIVE BROOKSY HAS SAID IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, BECAUSE THIS IS LEGISLATION SHE'S BEEN WORKING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, SHE SAID KIND OF IN A PERFECT WORLD SHE'D BE ABLE TO PUT FORWARD A PROPOSAL WHERE THERE WOULD BE NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR A CIVIL CLAIM FOR SEXUAL ABUSE EXPERIENCES FOR A MINOR AND THERE ACTUALLY ARE PLACES THAT HAVE THAT.

YOU HAVE MAINE, VERMONT, THE MARIANA ISLANDS AND GUAM.

BUT I WANT TO ZOOM BACK TO THE REPUBLICAN JOURNEY GENERAL DEBATE THAT I ATTENDED IN 20 WOULD WHY TOM LEONARD ESSENTIALLY MADE THE POINT THAT WHEN YOU RAISE THE SOL TO 70, 80, 90 YEARS OLD, HOW DO YOU MOUNT UP AN APPROPRIATE DEFENSE WHEN SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND PARTIES INVOLVED ARE DEAD.

>> OR MEMBERS ARE GONE, WHICH IS ANOTHER THING.

>> YEAH, THEY IS I THINK PART OF THIS CROSSROADS THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE REACHING.

IF YOU LOOK AT POLITICS OF THIS THING, THERE HAVE BEEN LONG INSTITUTIONAL POWERS IN LANCING THAT HAVE RESISTED THESE TYPES OF BILLS.

AND NOW SOME DEMOCRATS, SOME REPUBLICANS RULING THIS OUT, ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ON THE SHOOTINGSAL AND OURS HAVE THE FORTITUDE TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKING IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF THOSE THINGS LINING UP NOW.

THE UTILITIES, TAKING ON SOME OF THESE DONORS, THAT ARE PERENNIAL POWERS.

ARE THEY GONNA REFORM THE CAMPING -- CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM.

THEY'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME PEOPLE IN THE EYE AND SAYING SAY WE'RE DOING THIS WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

>> AND THEN THE POSSIBILITY AND CRITICISM THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TOO FAR.

WE GAVE THEM POWER AND NOW THEY HAVE DRUNKEN POWER AND THEN PEOPLE DO SILLY THINGS.

NOBODY HAS REALLY SAID THAT YET BUT IT'S SORT OF UNDERNEATH THE CONVERSATION, ISN'T IT.

>> YEAH, I THINK THERE'S STILL KIND THIS HONEYMOON PERIOD, AT LEAST IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA.

EVERY SINGLE WEEK I'M READING SOMETHING WHETHER IT BE THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE WASHINGTON POST, MICHIGAN'S DEMOCRATIC LABORATORY, BIG D IN THIS CASE, RIGHT.

AND I THINK CRAIG'S, YOU KNOW, POINT, EXACTLY RIGHT.

THERE WAS THIS LIST, SIX TOPIC PROSECUTION GONNA GET DONE.

THEY ADDED GUN REFORM BECAUSE OF THE AWFUL TRAGIC SHOOTING HERE AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND NOW THOSE THINGS, INCLUDING RIGHT TO WORK, ELLIOT LARSON, REALLY BIG, BIG ISSUES AND NOW FIGURING OUT WHAT'S THE FOUNDATION AND WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN NEXT.

I DON'T THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S THIS NATIONAL OR EVEN STATEWIDE LOOK YET THAT, OH, IT'S GONE TOO FAR, RIGHT.

FOR DEMOCRATS.

I'M TALKING ABOUT.

>> AND I THINK AN ISSUE TO WATCH IS THE ENVIRONMENT.

THERE ARE LOTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS THAT WERE KEY TO DEMOCRATS GETTING THESE HISTORIC MAJORITIES.

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE ON THE ENVIRONMENT YET AND.

>> ZIPPO.

>> ARE THEY GOING TO BE WILLING -- AND WHEN I SAY ARE, I DON'T MEAN EVERYBODY IN THE CAUCUS, BUT JOE TAKE THE HOUSE SPEAKER, ARE THEY GOING TO LOOK DOWN SOME OF THE CORPORATE NURSE BE AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO DO POLLUTE OR REPAY.

WE'RE GOING TO REPEAL SOME OF THESE THINGS.

THEY HAVE NOT DONE THAT YET, AND I THINK THERE ARE LOTS OF DEMOCRATS WHO ARE QUIETLY TAKING NOTE THIS IN THIS STATE.

>> SENATOR McCANN, HE'S ACTUALY ALREADY HAD THE BUILT VOTED OUT OF HIS COMMITTEE THAT ELIMINATES MICHIGAN'S NO STRICTER THAN FEDERAL LAW FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

AND I MEAN, TO CRAIG'S POINT, WHILE THIS THAT IS OUT OF COMMITTEE, ARE THEY ACTUALLY GOING TO VOTE ON THAT ON THE FLOOR AND HOW IS WHITMER GOING TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THESE CORPORATE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE VERY DEE HER VAL DAYING HERSELF AS A TRANSFORMATION -- TRANSFORMATIONAL GOVERNMENT LEADER.

>> HOW DO YOU SAY COME TO MICHIGAN, AND BY THE WAY, THERE'S A HIDDEN THING -- IT MAKES HER SELL PITCH A LITTLE HARDER.

SHE COULD IGNORE IT BUT THE CORPORATION ALSO KNOW ABOUT IT QUICKLY.

RICK JOHNSON WAS IN COURT?

>> YEAH.

HE WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING.

HE PLEAD GUILTY WHICH IS A HISTORIC MOMENT WHEN YOU HAVE A FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER APPEARING IN COURT AND SAY, YES, I DID TAKE BRIBES WHEN I WAS DECIDING WHAT BUSINESSES WOULD GET INTO A NEW INDUSTRY THAT WE WERE REGULATING IN THIS STATE.

WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT OUR STATE GOVERNMENT THAT NO ONE NOTICED THIS, NONE OF THE REGULATORS RAISED ANY FLAGS ABOUT THIS AS IT WAS HAPPENING.

HE WAS APPOINTED TO THIS POSITION BY GOVERNOR SNYDER, BY THE FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, I MEAN IT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT JUST RAISES ALL TYPES OF RED FLAGS ABOUT THIS.

>> I'VE BEEN DIEING TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION BECAUSE WE HAD A PRETTY HARDY DEBATE THIS STORY AS TO ARE THERE OTHER EDS TO DROP.

>> MULTIPLE PEOPLE SENT ME THAT DEBATE AND I THINK IF I WERE GUESSING -- I MEAN, THIS IS A GUESS, OF COURSE THERE ARE.

YOU DON'T TAKE PLEA DEALS -- EVERY EXPERT THAT I TALK TO WHO WORKS IN THIS FIELD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAS SAID YOU DON'T TAKE THESE TYPE OF PLEA DEALS WITH HIRING NEW PEOPLE UNLESS YOU'RE GOING FOR SOMEONE ELSE MORE HIGH RANKING.

WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A COMPANY SEED THAT'S LISTED IN THE PLEA DEAL THAT'S REFERENCED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO COMPANY C IS BUT YOU DON'T LIST A COMPANY LIKE THAT WHO'S PROVIDING MONEY FOR BRIBES WITHOUT PROBABLY ASKING QUESTIONS.

>>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S CALL IN THE CHAIR OF THE PRE-K THROUGH 12 BUG.

SENATOR, WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

I HOPE DID YOU NOT FALL ASLEEP DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE SHOW HERE'S THE QUESTION.

WHEN YOU PUT THIS BUDGET TOGETHER DID YOU THINK LONG TERM THAT DOWN THE ROAD THAT YOU ACTUALLY WERE CREATING A PROBLEM BY MAKING THIS BASE AND THEN WHEN THINGS GO SOUR NEWER TROUBLE?

>> SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE SO MUCH SURPLUS RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE NOT ONLY BEEN ABLE TO INVEST A HISTORIC AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR EXPANDING PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL, WE ARE ALSO LEAVING $2 MILLION ON THE BALANCE SHEET.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ABLE TO SUSTAIN SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS WE'RE PUTTING FORTH AND NOT WIPE AWAY ALL OF THE 91 THIS ONE ROUND BECAUSE WE STILL WANT TO KEEP GOING FORWARD WITH INFLATION AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WE NEED TO SEE FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO THRIVE.

>> AND SOME CRITICS ARE GOING TO SAY WHY DO WE HAVE TO GIVE FREE FOOD TO FAMILIES ARE DOING WELL AND THEIR KIDS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF STIGMA AROUND STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE FREE LUNCH.

THERE ARE FORMS YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT, SOME STUDENTS DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, AND THE SHEER CREATION OF A DIFFERENCE OF WHOA GETS FREE LUNCH AND DOESN'T DOES CREATE A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR STUDENTS AND WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT CREATED IN A LUNCHROOM, EVERY KID NO MATTER THE INCOME, SHOULD BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN, HAVE A MEAL AND BE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> WASN'T THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM TO HELP THE FAMILIES THAT NEED IT MOST?

>> FOR SURE.

AND WE DO STILL HAVE THAT SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT AS WE SAW DURING COVID IT ACTUALLY MADE LIVES SO MUCH EASIER FOR SO MANY FAMILIES.

WHEN A PARENT DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAKING A LUNCH ON THEIR WAY TO WORK AND DROPPING THEIR KID OFF, IT EASES SO MANY BURDENS FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF SINGLE MOMS IN PARTICULAR WHO HAVE SAID THANK YOU BECAUSE IT MAKES THEIR DAY SO MUCH EASIER THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING FOR THEIR KIDS.

>> SAM.

>> IS IT TRUE THAT LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING WITH $700 MILLION LESS THAN WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD WHEN SHE PUT OUT OTHER EXECUTIVE PROPOSAL.

>> WE OBVIOUSLY SPENT HISTORIC MONEY AS WELL IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS, A LOT GOING DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES ACROSS MICHIGAN AS WELL AS OUR SENIORS AND RETIREES.

SO WE EXPANDED THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, THAT WAS MONEY THAT WAS SPENT SO WE ARE WORKING WITH DIFFERENT NUMBERS THAN WHAT THE GOVERNOR ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.

AND THAT'S OKAY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ONCE IT COMES NEW A COUPLE WEEKS HERE THAT WE'RE DOING THINGS A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MATTER BECAUSE WE DO LIKE TO EXPAND SOME PROGRAMS BUT ALSO WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE ENGAGING IN RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING.

>> SENATOR, YOU YOURSELF WERE A TEACHER FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

YOU OFTEN TALK ABOUT BEING IN THE CLASSROOM.

I'M CURIOUS, LOOKING AT THIS BUDGET, AND WITH THAT HISTORY, THAT KNOWLEDGE OF YOURS, WHAT ISN'T IN THIS BUDGET THAT IS CONCERNING TO YOU AS A TEACHER?

>> I THINK THAT ONE OF THE WAITS THAT WE CAN CONTINUE SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS TO CONTINUE DOWN THE ROUTE OF ATTRACTION AND RETENTION.

SO WE ARE INCLUDING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR EDUCATORS.

WE'RE INCLUDING A POT OF MONEY TO BOOST TEACHER PAY, BUT THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS KEEP ADDING THAT IN PER PUPIL INCENTIVES.

WE'RE AT AN HISTORIC NUMBER HERE, $9700 PER PUPIL BUT STILL DOESN'T MEET THAT NEED THAT SOME OF THE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN.

SO IF WE WERE ABLE TO MEET THAT HE NEED, WE WOULD SEE SOME OF THE HIGHEST SALARIES IN MICHIGAN, THAT'S STILL A GOAL BUT DOES CONTRIBUTE TO PEOPLE TO COME TO THE PROFESSION IN THE FIRST PLACE AND STAY IN THE PROFESSION.

AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, EDUCATORS ARE COMPETING WITH McDONALDS AND OTHER FAST FOOD PLACES TO RECEIVE TALENT.

SO UNLESS WE'RE PAYING HIGH PRICES, PEOPLE GO TO THE OTHER SECTOR AND FIND OTHER WORK.

>> YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF THE BUDGET THAT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP SCHOOLS RUNNING.

THESE RUMORS ARE FLYING IN LANSING.

ARE THERE REAL CONVERSATION BESIDE ADJOURNING EARLY, LIKE VERY EARLY, BEFORE THE SUMMER TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION LATER?

IS THAT A REAL CONVERSATION THAT'S HAPPENING AMONG SENATE THEM ANDS.

>> WE HAVE NOT HAD THOSE CONVERSATION.

MY HOPE IS THAT THEY JOIN US AND GRANTING US THE EFFECT OF IMPORTANT BUDGET BILLS.

WHEN THE DPREMS IN THE MINORITY SHE DID THAT WITH REPUBLICANS.

I PERSONALLY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE ABUSING THAT PRACTICE EARLY ON BUT I THINK THEY'RE LEARNING HOW TO BE IN THE MINORITY AND WE'LL SEE HOW THEY TAKE THE BUDGET PROCESS GOING FORWARD.

I DON'T SEE HOW THEY WOULD BRING GOVERNMENT TO A HALT OVER AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

BUT WE DO WANT TO WORK WITH THEM.

I ASKED MY REPUBLICAN SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS THE LIST OF THINGS THEY'D LIKE TO SEE IN THIS BUDGET AND INCLUDED MANY OF THOSE ITEMS ALREADY BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAIT THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.

>> IS THERE ANY MONEY IN THIS BUDGET TO BEEF UP THE SAFETY IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> YES.

SO I'VE ADDED A POT OF SCHOOL SAFETY TO GIVE SCHOOLS MAXIMUM ACCESS THE ON THE WHICH THEY'D LIKE TO SERVE THEIR STUDENTS BEST, ABOUT $340 MILLION.

>> ARE YOU FAN OF PUTTING RESOURCE OFFICERS AT THE FRONT DOOR?

>> I DON'T LOVE THE IDEA THAT THEY'RE RIGHT AT THE FRONT DOOR BUT WE'VE SEEN THAT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS MICHIGAN.

I THINK EVERY SINGLE WIN OF MY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS AT LEAST ONE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AND THERE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF JUST SPECIFIC SAFETY CONCERNS.

THEY BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM, AND THEY ARE A VITAL PART OF THE SCHOOL NETWORK.

WE'VE RECOGNIZED THAT AT SCHOOL DESCRIBES ALL OVER MICHIGAN.

BUT THE REASON I WANTED TO INCLUDE THE FLEXIBILITY IS BECAUSE SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO USE THAT MONEY SPECIFICALLY ON LIVES.

THEY WANT TO HIRE MORE COUNSELORS AND HAVE MORE MENTAL HEALTH IN THEIR SCHOOLS AS WELL.

>> WHY DON'T YOU WANT THEM AT THE FRONT DOOR.

YOU WANT THEM IN THE GYM IN.

>> THEY'RE IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT, BUT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT AUTOMATICALLY APPEARS THAT THERE'S SOME UNSAFE PRACTICES HAPPENING AT A SCHOOL I THINK IS A LITTLE INTIMIDATING AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT STUDENTS OR FAMILIES WANT TO SEE AS THEY WALK IN A SCHOOL BUILDING ALL THE TIME.

WE KNOW HAVING OFFICERS ON SITE DOES MAKE THINGS SAFER FOR ALL STUDENTS.

BUT I'M ALSO NOT A FAN OF METAL DETECTORS.

I THINK THOSE TYPE OF THINGS MAKE A LITTLE UNSAFE FOR STUDENTS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WHEN IT COMES TO WALKING INTO A SCHOOLING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> ONE THING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR SUBCOMMITTEE IS YOU ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT ON THE ROAD, CREATING A TRAVELING SUBCOMMITTEE, AND WHEN YOU WERE AT THE SCHOOLS WITH THESE MEETINGS, WHAT'S TESTIMONY THAT REALLY BROKE YOUR HEART.

>> WE HEARD STORY AFTER STORY FROM EDUCATORS IN THE FIELD, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, EVEN PARENTS AND SOME STUDENTS AT THE DETROIT HEARING TALKING ABOUT THE INSTABILITY OF THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

HOW SOME OF THEIR FAVORITE TEACHERS LEFT BECAUSE THE TEACHERS FELT LIKE THEY WEREN'T BEING ARED OR COULD GET HURT.

ONE TEACHER SAYING HE SEVEN PRINCIPALS IN A MATTER OF SEVEN YEARS.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT VALUE OR RESPECT OUR EDUCATORS.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO STHAIFT NARRATIVE, HEARING THOSE STORIES WE WANTED TO LIFT THEM NEW THIS BUDGET WHICH IS WHY YOU SAW SOME DIFFERENCES WHAT THE GOVERNOR INCLUDED IN HER BUDGET.

WE WANT TO EMPOWER TEACHERS AND RESOURCES AND THOSE ARE DIRECT RESULTS FROM THE CONVERSATION IN THE FIELD.

>> WILL THE BUDGET BE DONE BY JULY 1?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

IT'LL BE DONE BY JULY 1.

>> WHY DID YOU PAUSE?

>> I DON'T WANT TO SAY -- WELL, ACTUALLY I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO SAY JUNE BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S SOME CONVERSATION AROUND IT BEING DONE IN JUNE EVEN.

BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF SHARED PRIORITIES HERE, AND WE WILL GET THIS DONE IN A MATTER THAT IS TIMELY.

I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE BY THE MIDDLE OF JUNE.

>> I SAID JULY 1 BECAUSE OF COURSE THAT'S WHEN SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES FISCAL YEAR START.

JUNE 1 STATUTORILY IS WHEN THE BUDGET IS MEANT TO BE DONE.

SO YOU'RE SAYING BETWEEN SOME TIME IN THE POSSIBILITY OF JUNE.

>> YES.

THAT'S THE GOAL RIGHT NOW.

>> HAVE YOU A LOT OF MONEY IN YOUR BUDGET AND THERE'S GOING TO BE MONEY IN THE FINAL BUDGET FOR EARLY EDUCATION.

ONE THING A LOT OF OFFICIALS ARE QUIETLY TALKING G ABOUT IS SHOUD THE STATE MANDATE KINDERGARTEN IN ORDER TO KIND OF ENTICE MORE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN EARLY EDUCATION, EARLIER.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON MANDATING KINDERGARTEN IN MICHIGAN?

>> I WOULD SUPPORT IT.

I NO THAT HE THERE ARE NOT VERY MANY STUDENTS WHO DON'T ALREADY GO TO KINDERGARTEN.

I THINK NUMBERS ARE AROUND 1500 BUT WE DO NEED TO KEEP THAT CULTURE GOING WHERE THE EARLIER A STUDENT IS RECEIVING EDUCATION THE BETTER OFF THEY ARE FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

SO AS WE'RE SEEING AN EXPANSION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO ADD PRE-K TO THEIR PROGRAMMING, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND FAMILIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW IT WILL SET UP STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN THE LONG HAUL.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EARLY INTERVENTIONS THAT COULD HELP STUDENTS READ EARLIER AND, YOU KNOW, START WITH MATH EARLIER, THESE BASIC SKILLS THAT WILL SET THEM UP FOR WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO IN THE REST OF THEIR LIFE, WHETHER IT'S TO BE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON OR TRADES PERSON OR END UP GOING TO EXPLEJ DOING A WHOLE HOST OF THING.

>> SENATOR ALBERT HAS PROPOSED ONE UNIVERSAL ADMISSION FOR ALL COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

>> I THINK WE WANT TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

WE'RE MAKING THAT AS ACCESSIBLE AS WE CAN.

IN MY OPINION I THINK IT SHOULD BE FREE.

BUT OBVIOUSLY IT WILL TAKE MORE RESOURCES TO GHETTO THAT POINT.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE RELATIONSHIP RIGHT NOW BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS?

>> I THINK THAT IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT THEY DID NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THE BUDGETS IN THIS EARLY STAGE OF PROCESS.

FROM TALKING WITH SOME OF THE SENATORS THAT WAS NOT HOW THE DEMOCRATS ACTED IN THE PROIPGHTSES COMMITTEE IN THE YEARS PRIOR.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT THEY'LL BE AT THE TABLE AND WANT TO BE PART OF THIS DISCUSSION BECAUSE SOME ARE NON-CONTROVERSIAL ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS THAT YOU LISTED EARLIER, ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR OUR STATE, AGUAL AND CORRECTIONS ASSURANCE.

EVEN WITH THE SCHOOL BUDGET I DON'T THINK IS WITH A MAJOR MIGHT THAT WE SHOULD BE HAVING.

SO I HOPE THAT THEY WORK WITH US SO WE CAN MEET THE EARLY DEADLINES SO OUR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGETS FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

>> I'D LOVE TO PIVOT, NEW REPORTS JUST CAME OUT THIS MONTH THAT MICHIGAN SAW THE HIGHEST YOUTH VOTER TURN-OUT IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF THE 38, 39 STATES THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE DATA FROM.

I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT THAT HELPED TO PROPEL YOU AND YOUR PARTY INTO THE MAJORITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS.

I'M CURIOUS THE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOUR CAUCUS, THE HOUSE IS HAVING ABOUT HOW TO CONTINUE TO GET THAT YOUTH VOTER TURN-OUT IN FUTURE ELECTIONS.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?

>> SO WE ARE GONNA CONTINUE TO BUILD AND EXPAND UPON THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTING PROPOSAL 2 AS WELL AS LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL WAYS TO MAKE VOTING AS AND I EASY AND SECURE AS POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE IN MICHIGAN.

WHEN IT COMES TO DELIVERING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, PEOPLE FLOCK TO THE POLLS OF ALL AGES BECAUSE OF PROPOSAL 3, THE RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN OUR AMENDMENTS LAST YEAR.

WE NEED TO SHOW THAT WE'RE DELIVERING ON THOSE PROMISE, AND IN ADDITION I THINK SOME OF YOU MENTIONED CLIMATE AND ENERGY.

SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE INTRODUCED A CLIMATE PACKAGE IN THE LAST MONTH, SO WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CARE ABOUT WHETHER IT'S MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE, ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AS WELL AS SO MANY OTHER ITEMS.

WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED HERE.

IT'S BEEN 100 DAYS AND I THINK WE'VE DONE MORE THAN ANY OF THE PATHS LEGISLATURES HAVE DONE EVER.

SO I THINK WE'LL HAVE A LOT MORE THAT WILL SPEAK TO YOUNG PEOPLE AS WELL AS PEOPLE OF EVERY AGE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> DO YOU THINK THE COMMUNIST PARTY WILL TAKE OVER BIG RAPIDS?

>> I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

THERE WAS A LOT OF SPECULATION AND RUMOR FROM RIGHT WING MEDIA QUITE FRANKLY, FOR PUSHING AN AGENDA THAT JUST ISN'T IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HARD-WORKING MICHIGANDERS.

WE'RE CREATING JOBS AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING FOR EVERYONE, PARTICULARLY IN AN AREA THAT REALLY DOES NEED ECONOMIC SUPPORT.

>> THE GUITAR IN THE BACKGROUND, IS THAT A GIBSON?

>> IT'S NOT A GIBSON.

, I'M NOT THAT FANCY.

MAYBE I'LL PLAY IT FOR YOU NEXT TIME ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, GOOD LUCK ON YOUR BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU, PANELISTS.

GREAT SHOW, GUYS.

>>> SEE YOU NEXT WEEK FOR MORE "OFF THE RECORD."

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