LANSING – The Michigan 2008-09 appropriations for higher education, giving universities a 1 percent increase, has been signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm. Also signed were the budgets for the Department of Education and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
The university budget bill (SB 1099 , PA 212) appropriates $1.769 billion for operations at the state’s 15 campuses as well as financial aid, including $56.6 million for students attending private institutions, the same amount as in the current year. The across-the-board increases for the universities fell short of the 3 percent the governor had initially recommended and approved by the House and even the 2.7 percent approved by the Senate following final adjustments after revenue estimates for the upcoming year were lowered.
The $1.646 billion general fund allocation in the bill also does not include increases in funds for Indian Tuition Waivers and State Competitive Scholarships.
Tuition rates for the 2008-09 academic year have been set for students at 8 of the 15 university campuses, and the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees is scheduled to act on student rates at a meeting Thursday. The range of increases is 3.5 percent at Saginaw Valley State University to 8.2 percent at Michigan Technological University.
The $95.1 million Department of Education budget (SB 1096 , PA 213) includes $7.5 million in general funds, a 5.7 percent increase over the current year. It adds employees for audit and oversight functions.
The $183.8 million Military and Veterans Affairs budget (HB 5812 , PA 214) includes $40.3 million in general funds, a 0.4 percent decrease from the current year.
Also signed July 15 were HB 4950, PA 217. Expands the alternative energy renaissance zones to include solar and wind power.
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