Crumbling schools, crowded classes: Michigan’s students say it’s time for billionaires to help fund public education

A new ballot initiative could turn the tide for students across the Great Lakes State by holding Michigan’s ultra-wealthy accountable for their fair share of taxes. 

High student-to-counselor ratios, oversized classes due to a statewide teacher shortage, and a lack of state funding for facilities have left Michigan’s K-12 public school districts struggling to make ends meet—and students are paying the price. 

“We know that, for years, Michigan schools have been underfunded, and students are feeling forgotten and unheard,” said Christina Yarn, a senior at Heritage High School in Saginaw. and a member of the Michigan Education Justice Coalition (MEJC) Youth Collective.

“We have been suffering in schools that are falling apart, that have poor water and air quality, little to no school transportation, and where students aren’t safe in their classes.”

That’s why, as the Trump administration continues to prioritize buyouts and tax write-offs for billionaires, Michigan students are working alongside educators, labor leaders, and community organizers to launch a ballot initiative that would fund public K-12 schools across the Great Lakes State.

“A fully funded school system can help students in need, and we’re organizing to make sure this funding reaches the classrooms where it’s needed most,” added Shauda Islam, another MEJC Youth Collective member.

Related: Michigan students rally at State Capitol to defend public education

Students are calling out the cheaters

Right now, Michigan has a flat income tax rate of 4.25% for all residents. That means that Michigan billionaires pay the same rate as our state’s underpaid and overworked public school teachers.

But before that 4.25% state income tax can be applied, ultra-wealthy people across the country have loopholes they can use to lower their reported income. For example, they can make large charitable contributions or claim business losses and deductions, which can significantly reduce the amount they report to both federal and state tax authorities. Many also rely on strategies like borrowing against their assets, allowing them to access wealth without triggering new taxes. 

As a result, the ultra-wealthy often end up paying far less in state taxes than their actual financial resources would suggest—while everyday working families and individuals pay the full rate on most of what they earn.  

The ‘Invest in MI Kids’ ballot initiative would change Michigan’s state constitution to ensure that individuals earning over $500,000 and couples earning over $1 million pay 5% of their income in state taxes—not exactly fixing a broken federal system, but addressing an issue that’s led to growing underfunding for public schools in this state over time. That slight increase in income tax for wealthy Michiganders would generate nearly $1.7 billion in funding for public K-12 schools across the state each year. 

“Michigan’s flat tax system was designed for the ultra-wealthy, not working families,” said Molly Sweeney, organizing director of 482 Forward and co-chair of MEJC, in a press release. 

Alongside MEJC and 482 Forward, dozens of grassroots partners representing constituents across the Great Lakes State have formed a coalition to collect 600,000 signatures to place the initiative on Michigan’s 2026 ballot. 

“That’s why we’re coming together to rewrite the rules so those who aren’t paying what they owe in taxes finally chip in to support the services we all rely on—especially public education,” she said. 

‘Invest in MI Kids’ would direct new revenue to the Michigan School Aid Fund, a part of the state’s Department of Education, and allow new funding for areas like career and technical education—attracting and retaining teachers and reducing class sizes, especially in underserved communities. 

Charlie Cavell, an organizer with Fund MI Future, explained in a press release that the ballot initiative is about “fairness, plain and simple.” 

“Our ballot initiative will restore balance and ensure that those at the very top finally contribute to our schools and communities like the rest of us already do,” said Cavell. 

Michiganders interested in helping MEJC gather signatures for the initiative can sign up online and visit InvestInMIKids.com for future updates. 

Read more: Michigan Senate Democrats put forward a plan to add more than $1B to education budget