Advocacy | Michigan Legislation | Federal Legislation
Conference Committee Restores Adult Ed to $24 Million
Sen. Jelinek receives the MACAE State Leader of the Year Award at MACAE's Legislative Day in the State Capitol. Rich Klemm, former MACAE Govt. Affairs Chair, is shown with participating Adult & Alternative Ed Students.
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Unprecedented budget cuts to the School Aid Bill reduced K-12 funding by $218 per pupil without affecting the Proposal A portion of the foundation allowance, Durant bond payment, school lunch and special education programs. Overall the School Aid bill, unanimously reported out of Conference Committee on Wednesday, is $482.8 million, or 3.6 percent below current year funding for schools. (Combined with the $450 million in federal stimulus funding for K-12, the overall funding reductions for schools equal $24.2 million compared to the current state fiscal year.)
However, Adult Education (Section 107) was restored to $24 million. The Governor's Budget Proposal had originally recommended cutting it by $4 million. The House had approved $23.7 million and removed earmarks for Grand Rapids Community College ($200,000) and the Department of Corrections ($500,000). Then the Senate cut it by 10%, which reduced it to $21.6 million. The Conference Committee also restored the $200,000 earmark for Grand Rapids Community College. |
Members of the Conference Committee include Representatives Terry Brown (House K-12 Education Appropriations Chair), George Cushingberry (House Appropriations Chair) and Chuck Moss (House K-12 Education Appropriations) and Senators Ron Jelinek (Senate K-12 Education Appropriations Chair and Senate Appropriations Chair), Cameron Brown (Vice Chair of Senate K-12 Education Appropriations) and Mickey Switalski (Senate K-12 Education Appropriations).
House K-12 Education Appropriations Chair Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) said lawmakers find themselves in places "we don't want to be."
"This is one of the toughest budgets I've ever seen, " said Senate Appropriations Chair Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks) as reported by GONGWER NEWS. "It's difficult. It's very difficult."
Program cuts of significant concern to community educators include a 25% cut in Adolescent Health Center Grants; a 25% cut in Early Childhood Grants; a 50% cut in Great Start Readiness Program-Competitive Grants; elimination of funding for School Bus Inspections; and elimination of funding for the Youth Challenge Grants and Small High School Infrastructure Program. Sen. Cameron Brown (R-Fawn River Twp.) noted that an "interdepartmental grant through the Department of State Police may help cover school bus inspections, but money for the program isn't upfront." (GONGWER, 9/23/09)
Funding was restored for Great Parents Great Start ISD programs to the FY 2008-09 level of $5 million. School Readiness District Grants increased slightly by $20,900 for a total of $88,400,000. Fifty percent of the School Readiness Competitive Grants were restored by the Conference Committee from earlier elimination in the Senate version of the School Aid bill.
The House Appropriations Committee voted to restore the Promise Grants, contingent on raising revenues. However, a tax increase bill was not voted on before they adjourned.
The School Aid Bill may be taken up for a vote by both houses this week with only seven days left of the current fiscal year. If approved, the bill would move to the Governor for signature. She has the ability to line item veto if she selects to do so.
It is very important to let your legislators and governor hear from you as soon as possible, either by email, fax or phone call. It's not over until the bill is signed by the Governor so do not delay action.
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