KALAMAZOO (WKZO) — State Legislators are back to work and one of the bills that could come up for a vote in the Senate during the next nine days before they break for Christmas, is a measure that would require that any third grade student that cannot read proficiently be held back a year.
The Third Grade Reading bill has already passed the house. Kalamazoo Supt. Michael Rice and the KPS School Board unanimously opposes the legislation as a waste of money and a policy that will that hurt children and not help them
He says instead legislators should be providing the programs and the trained specialists to teach the kids who don’t pick up the skill as easily as other children.
Dr. Rice and the board sent a note home with students urging their parents to get in touch with lawmakers and let them know they oppose the legislation too.
The Governor has said he will sign it if the bill hits his desk.
Also on the agenda at the State Capitol, the Energy Bill, which may clear the House but take more time than is left in this year to clear the Senate.
That may also be true of legislation to reform Detroit Public Schools.
One of the issues that will be first up to bat is a request by a Nevada computer processing company called Switch, for tax incentives on a 5-billion dollar project they have planned for Kent County.
Some say it will be a slam dunk. Others say they are wary of another corporate giveaway to firm that may be here today and gone tomorrow, leaving the state holding the bag.
Kalamazoo Democrat John Hoadley says there may be quick action on a bill to eliminate Straight Ticket voting, a bill he would like to see that one get bogged down in hearings.
He says not only it result in longer lines, less convenience and more confusion at the polls, but it also increases the likelihood of voter and counting errors.
He says it’s pure politics because more democrats vote straight party than republicans.
