LANSING – The first major difference on spending between Governor Rick Snyder and the Republican-led Senate emerged Tuesday as Senate subcommittees dramatically reshaped his plan for funding K-12 schools and universities.

Snyder has proposed transferring $896 million from the School Aid Fund, traditionally used only for K-12 schools, into aid to community colleges ($196 million) and universities ($700 million) and subsequently cutting K-12 schools by $300 per pupil.

Instead, the Senate Appropriations K-12, School Aid and Education Subcommittee moved $396 million out of the School Aid Fund ($196 million for colleges, but just $200 million for universities). And it then cut schools by $170 per pupil instead of the $300 Snyder had recommended when it approved SB 183 .

“That’s a recognition of the testimony that we took and also the depth of the hurt local school districts were to receive,” said Sen. Howard Walker (R-Traverse City), chair of the Senate subcommittee.

Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee replaced the $500 million of the $700 million in School Aid Fund money Snyder had proposed for aid to universities with general fund (SB 178 ).

Walker and Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton), the higher education subcommittee chair, said they paid for the $500 million through the added cuts they have been making in budgets for the departments of Corrections, Community Health and Human Services.

“In working with other committees, the general fund is still in balance,” Walker said.

Mike Boulus, executive director of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan, was not convinced the numbers added up.

“There’s a $500 million general fund problem here,” he said of the higher education budget. “It’s acknowledged, but not resolved.”

Snyder declined to weigh in on the significant changes after a bill signing ceremony, nor any of the substantial human services cuts made by House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees last week.

When the House and Senate complete passing their budgets, Snyder said he and legislators will discuss the differences.

“I just view it as part of the process,” he said.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

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