School and Road Funding Up $2.3 Billion; Teachers Union Head Says Michigan Not Taxed Enough

David Hecker is the president of the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, the state’s second- largest teachers union.

He recently wrote a column for Michigan Advance, complaining state residents are not taxed enough.

“Imagine a world where we aren’t asked to choose between funding our schools and other crucial public services like fixing our roads and bridges, cleaning up our water and ensuring everyone has access to food, shelter, and health care,” Hecker wrote.

State funding for K-12 public schools and transportation is a combined $17.4 billion in 2020-21. When adjusted for inflation, that’s $2.3 billion more than 2010-11 funding levels.