Latest news with #AnnBollin
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House GOP slashes university operational funding, penalizes U of M and MSU for large endowments
University of Michigan students walking near the Diag on Oct. 3, 2022 | Ken Coleman Cuts to DEI programming, slashed operational funding for the state's most prestigious universities with large endowments and penalties for race-based admission systems were among the items proposed in higher education budgets advanced by Michigan House Republicans on Wednesday. The GOP-controlled House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday reported its version of the school aid budget for K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential. House Republicans set university funding at $2.4 billion with $461.3 million coming from the state's general fund, which would be an overall increase of $76.4 million or 3.3%. However, overall funding for university operations would see a decrease of $828.1 million. State Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), chair of the committee, said Republicans were trying to support Michigan high school graduates as they transition to adult life and encourage them to stay in the state to attend one of several public universities. State Rep. Gregg Markkanen (R-Hancock), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges, said in a statement issued after the bills were reported that the budget corrected the imbalance of the state funding poured into Michigan State University and the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus. 'Michigan's largest universities have been getting way more than their fair share for far too long,' Markkanen said. 'Our plan sets things right by trimming the fat off MSU and U of M and distributing that funding amongst our 13 other remarkable universities.' But, much like its counterpart in the K-12 budget, the university budget has a series of cuts to operational grants and aims to restrict university diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The budget raised questions for universities who stand to see their funding reduced if they do not obey certain requirements spelled out in boilerplate language, and the inconsistency of billions in one-time funding without a plan for years later. Universities with an endowment fund between $1 billion and $5 billion would lose 50% of those funds, impacting Michigan State University, in particular. Those with endowments of $5 billion to $10 billion would lose 65% of their funds, and universities with endowments of $10 billion would lose 75% of their funds, which would affect the University of Michigan. The sum total of campus investment funds, support payments and ending tuition waiver payments would be subject to a 31% cap on increases above what was appropriated to universities last year. When paired with estimated new Michigan Achievement Scholarship payments, the appropriations to universities would be conditioned on holding back undergraduate tuition and fee increases to 3% or $489, whichever is greater. Projected funding decreases in that case could range from 5.1% to 91.6%. New boilerplate language would require universities to report on information related to the current university president, provide a list of the number of out-of-state students by state origin, provide a list of the number of international students categorized by citizenship, certify that all enrolled students are lawful residents, and provide the contact information of students who are not lawful residents to the director of Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential. Universities would have 5% of their campus investment funds withheld for disobeying those requirements, the same penalty if they allow transgender women to participate in women's sports. Vamping on a theme, the House also added language that restricts public universities from having any common area spaces that are restricted by sex or race, and restricts institutions from having any public ceremonies or gatherings restricted by sex or race and authorizes the state budget director to withhold 5% of monthly campus investment funds payments until an institution complies. The House plan also mandates universities abide by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that held Harvard University's limited race-based affirmative action program violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Michigan House Republicans' university budget includes language that states 25% of campus investment funds would be taken from any institution that violates the court's holding. State Rep. Matt Madodock (R-Milford) extolled the budget as making cuts to the 'woke' universities and giving the money to 'non-woke' universities. In an interview with Michigan Advance, Dan Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities, said the association was still analyzing the budget, but said it was 'certainly comprehensive in its approach to reframing how the state funds its public universities and the students they enroll.' 'There are a lot of provisions that are not minor in their potential impact on allocations to universities and their long-term implications,' Hurley said. Hurley noted as Markkanen did during the committee that attention will now go toward negotiating with the House, Senate and the governor's office. He said the goal was, as a set of 15 public universities, to improve and to allow students the ability to afford a university degree. 'I think the litmus test on a final budget is how it will affect the universities' abilities to produce a talent pipeline that the state desperately needs at this moment,' Hurley said. One of his top-line observations is the more than a billion dollars in one-time funding monies to support the overall budget framework. As huge enterprises that have been around for hundreds of years, Hurley said they need predicability and sustainability. 'We need to have a much better understanding of what the thinking is, what the plan is to maintain a healthy, vibrant public university ecosystem,' Hurley said. 'In year two, in year three and year four down the road. To me, that is not clear at the moment.' Bollin said the House was providing a roughly flat investment in higher education, which she said would make universities compete for the students they have. Although the move was characterized during the committee meeting as positively impacting some universities' bottom lines over others, Bollin later said it was a move to support students wherever they end up going to attain a higher education. When it was noted that the budget changes the way some universities would receive money from the state, Bollin doubled down and said universities will have the same opportunity to receive funding. 'Maybe they ought to mind their budgets just like the rest of us. Everybody's budget is getting tighter,' Bollin said. Bollin was asked about the DEI cuts and more specifically the language targeting transgender women in women's sports. It was noted that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender were tenants of the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Bollin was asked how the various budgets' boilerplate language were not blatant violations of the state's civil rights law. Bollin said she didn't see it that way, using language that essentially denies the very nature of transgender individuals. 'Frankly, I want to get away from focusing on those parts in the bill and in our policy statements. We are talking about educating and we want everybody to feel welcome; to come in and get a good education. And, frankly, we don't want to see boys in girls' sports. That's universal. I don't want to go into the restroom with a man,' Bollin said.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Major shift': State House passes K-12 school budget
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The Michigan House of Representatives approved the GOP's $21.9 million for K-12 schools in the state Wednesday. The plan proposes $10,025 in foundation funding per student, and an additional estimated $1,975 in separate funds per student if school districts adhere to certain requirements. These requirements include having one school resource officer and one mental health support staff member on staff and submitting an annual report detailing the use of the funds. Lawmakers behind the proposal say this would be an increase of $2,392 per student. 'This budget represents a major shift in how we approach education in Michigan,' said State Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee (R-Brighton Township). 'We're building a stronger model by putting trust where it belongs — in the hands of local school boards, parents, and educators who know their communities best. Every district is different, and the people closest to the students should be the ones making the decisions.' Lawmakers say the plan would also ban funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and prevent biological males from competing in female sports divisions, as well as stop schools from using 'curriculums that promote race or gender stereotyping.' Representatives behind the appropriations say these funds would be used to help schools reduce class sizes, improve reading scores, and better school infrastructure, and that the plan gives schools flexibility to spend the money as they please. 'We're done with top-down mandates that ignore the real challenges our schools face,' Bollin said. 'This plan meets schools where they are and gives them the flexibility they need to lift kids up and help them succeed.' However, those opposed to the appropriations say the budget cuts important programs for students, such as school breakfast and lunch, which could have negative impacts on families. 'House Republicans' education budget could raise costs for working families by nearly $900 a year, force students to go hungry, and take money away from teachers trying to help students learn — while doing absolutely nothing to improve reading, math, or science scores,' said Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Michigan State Superintendent Michael F. Rice says the appropriations 'fall short' in supporting the schools, calling it a 'duct-taped budget' and saying the lack of specified appropriations would be detrimental toward certain efforts to improve the state's school system. 'While I support increasing per-pupil funding and reducing to a significant degree the number of categorical grants to give school districts more flexibility in how to spend state dollars, this budget unnecessarily puts at risk statewide education priorities,' said Rice. 'The budget lumps funds into large block grants that would diminish the statewide efforts to support, protect, and help educate children and at the same time address the state's shortage of certified and highly trained teachers.' The plan advanced with support from Republicans and opposition from Democrats. It now heads to the Democrat-controlled Senate, which previously passed its . The two chambers need to agree on a budget by July 1. 6 News will keep you updated with the latest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
To The Point: State Rep. Bollin on budget
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — On this 'To The Point,' a new budget is being put together inLansing and we'll talk the chair of the the House appropriations committee. Whitmer rolls out $3B road funding plan, eyeing more cash from marijuana, companies 'We need to make decisions about the state budget just like everybody has to do in their family budget, right? This is no different. And I think, yes, this is unconventional, our approach. It may be with our earmark requirement now that you have to have a legislative, directed projects have to have a sponsor on it and be more transparent and accountable. I think this will go a long way. I have received resoundingly positive remarks about our approach to the budget and the earmarks. This is what the people want. They want us to be responsive, absolutely, but they want us to be responsible,' state Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township, said. All that and more on this 'To The Point' episode for the weekend of March 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bollin pitches constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority to pass bills during lame duck
House Appropriations Committee Chair Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.) takes questions from reporters following the presentation of the governor's executive budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2026 on Feb. 5, 2025. | Kyle Davidson In an effort to 'increase accountability in Michigan's legislative process,' state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.) has put forward a proposal to require a two-thirds vote to pass legislation during the lame duck period. Members of the Michigan House are up for election every two years, while state Senators serve for four years. The lame duck period begins in November on the even numbered years after legislative elections, when a lawmaker has either won reelection, or an opponent of successor has been elected. 'Lame-duck sessions have been used to force through controversial policies that wouldn't stand a chance under the full scrutiny of voters,' Bollin said in a statement. 'This reform is about restoring integrity and ensuring that the will of the people guides the decisions made in Lansing.' House Joint Resolution A, which cleared the House Government Operations Committee Tuesday, aims to amend the state constitution to require two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber in order t'o become a law. If Bollin's proposal is approved, it will be placed on the ballot, where Michigan voters will have the final say. In order to move forward, any bill passed under this proposal would need strong bipartisan support. 'Too often, politicians try to avoid accountability — whether it's by forcing something through in lame duck or by taking the cowardly route and waiting until after an election to act, hoping voters won't notice,' Bollin said. 'We must make it clear that lawmakers should be accountable for every vote they take, every time.' Bollin's proposal received support from a number of Republicans with Democratic Reps. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City), Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) and Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.) also signing on as cosponsors. Requiring a two-thirds vote for lame duck bills was one of several transparency efforts backed by Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) at a Jan. 30 press conference. Hall also backed Bollin's resolution creating a series of reforms for legislative spending initiatives, also known as earmarks. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
CBS News
30-01-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan House unanimously approves budget transparency reform
(CBS DETROIT) — On Wednesday, the Michigan House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of a new resolution that aims to boost transparency in state government. The measure requires sponsors of certain earmarks in the state budget to publicly disclose their choices weeks ahead of the chamber's final budget approvals. "This is about working for the people, and I am just thrilled to see unanimous support for it in the House," said state Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township. "It shows that we have a united front, that we are here to work on behalf of the people in the state of Michigan and that transparency and accountability resonate across party lines." It also pushes lawmakers to clearly define the project's public good and prevents for-profit companies or newly created non-profits from receiving special consideration for taxpayer funds. " There's a lot of waste in government, and this is an opportunity to show that we're not going to waste taxpayers' dollars, get them more value for the dollars. This will give the public the ability to watch the process, participate in the process," Bollin said. Bollin says she was encouraged by the support she received from her fellow house members across the aisle, including Michigan House Appropriations Minority Vice Chair Rep. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn. "The state government, our local governments that are closest to the people, we're the ones who make the decisions that can really more greatly affect your day-to-day life," Bollin said. CBS News Detroit reached out to Farhat's office but did not hear back. While members of the Republican-controlled Michigan House voted 105-0 on the measure, Bollin says the Michigan Senate must adopt a similar proposal and hopes this move will encourage them to consider it. "The government doesn't have any of its own money. It is the people's money. It's the taxpayer's money, and we need to, at every level, make sure we're spending, and we're prudent, and I'm going to make sure that everything that we do is in that direction," Bollin said.
