Letter from Matt Hall, Speaker of the House

(Click here to see the original version of Matt Hall’s letter.)

This year, House Republicans are focused on the issues that matter most to Michigan families, and few are more important than education and the future of our children.

Right now, Michigan’s literacy rates rank near the bottom in the nation. That is unacceptable, and it demands action. Classrooms must be places where students can focus, learn, and build the skills they need to succeed.

That is why House Republicans recently passed legislation sponsored by Representative Mark Tisdel to get cell phones out of K-12 classrooms. Phones are a constant distraction. They pull attention away from teachers, lessons, and classmates. Classrooms are meant for learning, not scrolling.

House Republicans first proposed this plan last summer. Since then, the plan has been gaining support among parents, teachers, and political leaders on both sides of the aisle. We voted it through the House last week, and our plan received strong bipartisan support.

We hope our colleagues in the Senate recognize the importance of this legislation and move it forward. Putting kids first should never be controversial. It should be a shared priority. Let’s get this done for the kids.