Cox Touts Trump School Choice Tax Credit on Michigan Charter Day, Calls for Major Education Reform

LIVONIA, MI — On Michigan Charter Day at the Capitol, gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox renewed his pledge to opt Michigan into President Trump’s School Choice Tax Credit on Day One, saying educational freedom and accountability must be central to fixing Michigan’s failing schools.

Cox was the first Republican candidate for Governor to publicly commit to opting Michigan into President Trump’s federal school choice tax credit, which 27 states have already opted into, calling it a critical first step toward restoring excellence in Michigan education and putting parents back in charge.

“With Michigan ranked 48th in 4th grade reading, the status quo is a moral stain on our state,” said Cox. “I was the first candidate in this race to commit to President Trump’s school choice tax credit because families need more options, more accountability, and leadership willing to challenge a broken system. My grandkids in Mississippi are getting a better education than kids in Livonia. If Mississippi can turn things around by focusing on the basics, Michigan can too.”

Cox pointed to the Mississippi Miracle as a model for reform and said Michigan must return to fundamentals through phonics, early literacy, accountability, and higher standards.

His education plan includes expanding school choice, requiring reading proficiency by third grade, restoring school accountability grades, increasing teacher coaching, strengthening interventions for struggling students, and ensuring every child learns phonics.

“We spend among the most in the nation on education and get some of the worst results. That is a leadership failure,” Cox said. “We need to teach the ABCs, not DEI, put families ahead of bureaucrats, and measure success by moving Michigan from the bottom five states in reading to the top five. That starts on Day One.”

Cox said Charter Day is also a reminder that innovation and parental choice must be part of rebuilding Michigan education.

“Charter schools show what’s possible when families have options and schools are focused on results. As Governor, I’ll expand freedom for parents, restore accountability in our schools, and Make Michigan Education Great Again.”