LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan House and Senate will have to reconcile a $183-per-pupil disagreement over public school funding based on budget bills adopted by each, The Associated Press reported.
The House adopted a 2010-2011 budget bill that gives public schools $65 more per student next year, while the Senate passed a bill that would reduce funding by $118 per student, according to AP. The Senate version was adopted before the latest revenue estimating conference showed a possible surplus in the school aid fund at the end of the current fiscal year, AP reported in an article posted by mlive.com.
The House bill would give schools the added $65 in the current fiscal year and also maintain it in the year beginning Oct. 1, according to AP. In 2009-2010, schools received a $165-per-pupil funding cut.
Lawmakers are divided over spending the anticipated surplus, AP reported.
"We want to go with some cautious optimism here," said Rep. Terry Brown, D-Pigeon, AP reported.
SOURCE:
The Associated Press, "Michigan
Democrats vote to restore schools money," May 26, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "How School Funding Works: Myths About
Michigan's Foundation Allowance," May 12, 2010
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