State lawmakers vote to dip into federal stimulus funds to help with school funding
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 4:24 p.m.
Read more: Local, State, Education, Politics, Education, Student, Funding, Lawmakers, Politics, Stimulus Funds, Stimulus Money, State Cuts, Schools
LANSING (AP) -- The Michigan House has voted to tap federal stimulus money set aside for next year to soften a cut in school funding now.
By a vote of 74-29, a majority of House members said Thursday the $184 million should be used to help schools avoid all but $10 of a $127 per student cut ordered by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Schools still would see their funding drop by the equivalent of $165 per student.
The bill looks unlikely to pass the Senate. A Senate Republican spokesman says the House instead should use $100 million saved by freezing a tax credit for low-income workers.
The House measure would restore half of the $52 million cut from wealthier school districts.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
