LANSING – The House voted to accept a community college budget that freezes funding, making that appropriation the first conference report of the 2009-10 fiscal year to pass either chamber. The chamber also transferred $42 Million from the 21st Century Jobs Fund to the General Fund.
The budget in HB 4435 , totaling $299 million (all in general funds), was passed by the chamber unanimously.
Rep. Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens), budget chair, said it reflects the state’s 28 community colleges’ effort to provide services more efficiently.
Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills) said while the state has a 20 percent general fund deficit and every budget should take a hit, he supported the bill because it met the target legislative leadership agreed to, which didn’t rely on a tax increase.
21st Century Jobs Fund Wacked: The chamber also finally took a vote on HB 4182 ,which would transfer $42 million from the 21st Century Jobs Fund to the general fund to help balance out the remaining 2008-09 budget.
Republicans tried to amend the bill several times, saying the money should only be transferred for a specific purpose, but those efforts failed.
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