State Representative Joey Andrews is speaking out after Flowers Early Learning locations in Southwest Michigan and Early Head Start programs throughout the state narrowly avoided shutting down due to uncertainty about federal funding last week.
Andrews tells us Flowers Early Learning was facing a Friday cutoff date to receive funding to continue operating. That money did end up coming through, but Andrews says programs like Head Starts are now waiting for the other shoe to drop as the Trump administration slashes federal departments and programs.
“You’ve got hundreds of people with jobs trying to figure out if they’re going to be getting paid,” Andrews said. “You’ve got parents trying to figure out if they’re going to have a place to send their kids, and that’s just what’s going on with the Head Start. There’s issues happening with Meals on Wheels with pretty much, any non-profit organization that relies on federal grant funding, which is most of them.”
Andrews says the uncertainty at the federal level also affects state government.
“Budget work is supposed to start in the state soon. Usually we like to have the budget done by July, but it seems like every other day there’s some new, completely insane announcement from the federal government about some agency that’s getting slashed or funding that’s going away.”
Andrews says the state operates several programs through which federal funding flows, and if that funding were to be cut off, many of those programs would be in jeopardy. He says school lunches and special education are two examples.
In a statement Friday, Andrews said he will “remain a fierce advocate for these essential programs and those who rely on them.”
