Eliminating the Department of Education? and much more...

Keeping it Real, Thursday November 21, 2024

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ELIMINATE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION? WHAT THAT COULD LOOK LIKE:

In an in-depth interview with Robert Enlow, president and CEO of EdChoice, key issues surrounding education reform, school choice, and federal oversight were explored. EdChoice, originally the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, advocates for universal educational freedom, aiming to empower parents with options for their children’s education.

Enlow highlighted the rapid expansion of school choice programs, with 75 initiatives across 33 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico now serving over one million students. He credited the pandemic for supercharging the movement, shifting focus to a parent-driven demand for more options. "What started as a slow-growing movement has become parent-centric and is seeing unprecedented growth," he said.

On the federal level, Enlow criticized the Department of Education for its regulatory burdens. He noted that federal funding, which constitutes 9-11% of state education budgets, comes with extensive compliance requirements, creating inefficiencies. "Every dollar from the federal government brings layers of bureaucracy," he said. He suggested reforms, such as transferring the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice and streamlining Title I funding to better serve students directly.

Enlow also addressed declining student enrollment in Michigan and nationwide, driven by frustrated parents seeking alternatives like homeschooling and private education. "Parents are fed up, and the current system isn’t working," he said, emphasizing the need for systemic change.

Looking ahead, Enlow expressed cautious optimism about the incoming administration’s potential to reduce bureaucracy and advance school choice initiatives. "There’s a lot of work to be done, but I’m hopeful we’ll see real changes," he said.

DEATH BLOW TO RESTAURANTS IN MICHIGAN?

We also looked into the paid leave and minimum wage increase in Michigan and how it could actually devastate businesses and workers.

Starting February 2025, all Michigan businesses will be required to provide paid sick leave to employees, including part-time, temporary, and teenage workers. Employees will accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, with a yearly cap of 72 hours for larger businesses and 40 hours for smaller ones. Workers can carry over unused sick leave indefinitely.

Small business owners, like Tina Anganis, who runs a Midland restaurant, worry the law will disrupt workplaces, allowing employees to miss multiple days without accountability. "It sets a bad precedent for workplace morals," Anganis said.

The restaurant industry, employing nearly 500,000 workers, faces significant challenges, according to Justin Winslow, president of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association. Winslow predicts the mandate could force over 20% of Michigan’s full-service restaurants to close, potentially eliminating up to 60,000 jobs.

Inflation, rising costs, and a potential recession add to small business concerns, with many already struggling to stay profitable. Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan, said businesses are preparing for financial strain, warning that the new rules could push many over the edge.

Although 79% of Michigan small businesses already offer flexible paid time off, many are calling for legislative compromises to ease the burden of the impending regulations.