MACKINAC ISLAND — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running as an Independent for Governor, used his keynote address at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce sponsored Mackinac Policy Conference to call for significant investments in education.
The proposal calls for $4.5 billion in increased education funding that includes rebuilding career and technical education (CTE) and develop early reading initiatives. In addition the proposed plan also calls for increased accountability for school principals.
“I want to increase the school budget without raising taxes. There’s nothing partisan about this. This is something both sides could agree on,” Duggan said at the policy conference. “I’m going to double the CTE funding. We need 47,000 positions in skilled trades by 2028. Everyone here knows this. Why are we not as a state saying we’re going to fix it?”
Duggan pointed out that 41% of Michigan school districts are “CTE deserts.” Indiana allocates $168 million annually to CTE programs, while Michigan only has budgeted $40 million. In addition, Duggan has called for a doubling of school counselors to erased the 600:1 ratio of counselors to students that puts Michigan at second worst in the U.S.
Duggan also called for more accountability for school principals. Duggan proposed that a school receiving a failing grade for a school year would be required to develop an improvement plan. After two years, a support team would be assigned to the school to help implement the plan.
Duggan then would move to termination after three years, “But in the third year, if you are still failing, you’re fired,” Duggan said. “If you were in business and your business declined three years in a row, you either get rid of the leader or you go out of business. I know it sounds harsh, but if you’re going to put $4.5 billion in, let’s hold them accountable.”
Campaign Update
Mike Duggan was endorsed by the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights this week. In a release from the campaign, Duggan thanked the members of the union and reflected on their longstanding relationship.
The MRCC’s endorsement of Mike Duggan as an Independent for governor highlights his commitment to creating good-paying union jobs, investing in skilled trades and delivering opportunity results for working families—not just in Detroit, but across Michigan. This endorsement adds to the growing momentum behind Duggan’s campaign and reflects the confidence the labor movement has in his ability to lead the state forward.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights,” said Duggan. “This partnership is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we put aside the toxic partisan politics and work together to move Michigan forward. I’m excited to continue collaborating with the MRCC to create good-paying jobs and deliver the real change that Michigan deserves.”
