a day ago
Lawmakers debating school funding as budget deadline looms
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – The clock is ticking to pass the state budget, and money for schools seems to be a sticking point.
The Republican-led House passed its Wednesday night, and Democrats are responding. The Democrat-led Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, and lawmakers say the two chambers are far from agreeing on a final budget.
State Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) is in charge of the budget coming out of the Senate and said she has some serious concerns about the $21.9 billion school budget plan coming out of the House, including the timing of it.
'By this time last year, we had already negotiated the pretty critical pieces of our budget,' said Anthony.
To get the two chambers on the same page by the July 1 deadline, Anthony says that lawmakers will have to work around the clock.
'I take that statutory deadline very seriously, but I'm not interested in cutting a bad deal for our school districts,' said Anthony.
The House chose to eliminate funding for specific programs like free meals for students; mental health and school safety grants; and vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Instead, they are putting that money into a per-pupil payment that school districts can qualify for if they have a resource officer and a mental health support staff member.
State Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), who played a part in the House-created budget, said this gives school districts more flexibility.
'We are giving our schools more money, so they have more freedom to use it at their will. That's the best thing about this budget,' Rep. Maddock said.
Anthony sees it differently, though, saying this is unsustainable and would have bigger impacts on low-income schools.
'In a time in which we are trying to right the wrongs of the past and meet the moment, that's just kind of unacceptable,' Anthony said.
The senator says that another issue for her is one-time funding being used for programs that she feels deserve ongoing funding.
However, Maddock says that dozens of these programs waste money and gave an example of one that he feels is unnecessary.
'It's a multi-million-dollar contract to have people from this company come in to teach our teachers and the people doing recess how to conduct recess in schools. That is a waste of money,' said Maddock.
The representative said that the House did what was best for students and said that if they can't get the Democrats to agree, there could be consequences.
'Maybe the government might get shut down,' Maddock said. 'But it's a war worth fighting because Michigan people are great, and they've been taken advantage of for too many years.
The Senate school budget plan is $21.8 billion, and has more specific funding designations and community violence intervention grants. Conversations will continue as lawmakers work toward a budget both chambers can agree on.
6 News will keep you updated with the latest.
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