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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- 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.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan House OKs earmark reforms in state budget process
Reps. Ann Bollin (left) and Matt Maddock (right) on Jan. 14, 2025 | Anna Liz Nichols A resolution aimed at reforming the state budget process passed through the Michigan House Wednesday. Sponsored by state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.), the new chair of the House Appropriations Committee, House Resolution 14 lays out new rules she says will 'ensure transparency, accountability, and public benefit in all legislatively directed spending initiatives,' otherwise known as earmarks. 'Taxpayers deserve to know exactly where their money is going, why it's being spent, and how it benefits the public,' said Bollin. 'Under our new process, every dollar in these initiatives will be properly vetted and held to the highest standards of transparency.' According to a , the new rules include: A prohibition on earmarks for for-profit businesses. Projects will be limited to public bodies and eligible nonprofits. Greater accountability for sponsors. Each funding request must include detailed information, including the sponsor and co-sponsors, the intended recipient's name and location, the requested amount, the project's purpose, an explanation of public benefit, project timeline, and other key details of the project. Stricter nonprofit eligibility. Organizations must be established in Michigan for at least 36 months and maintain a physical office in the state for at least 12 months. Conflict-of-interest protections. Sponsors must certify they have no conflicts of interest with the recipient. Family members and staff of the sponsor should not serve on the nonprofit's board or be employed by the organization. Transparency reforms. Funding requests must be submitted to the House Business Office at least 14 days before consideration and made publicly available online by May 1 for 2025 and April 1 in future years. Earmarks have long been a part of the budget process, regardless of which party has controlled the Legislature and governor's mansion. They have been a key target of Republican lawmakers since revelations last year about misspending of a $20 million grant provided through the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) to Fay Beydoun to operate a business accelerator organization. Beydoun, who had previously served on the MEDC board after being appointed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, obtained the grant through an earmark and was later accused of misusing the funds on personal luxuries, including a $4,500 coffee maker, and an $11,000 first-class international plane ticket. The changes follow Republicans regaining control of the state House as a result of the November election, ending the two-year Democratic trifecta of controlling both legislative chambers, as well as the governor's office. 'Politically connected individuals cannot be allowed to treat the state budget as a personal slush fund,' said Bollin. 'The people of Michigan deserve better, and we're here to deliver.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
