LANSING — State House Republicans have introduced a K-12 education budget they say is a “shock” to the Michigan school system.
The plan — HB 4577 — shifts hundreds of millions of dollars from support for specific programs, potentially giving schools greater leeway in how they spend their funding.
The House GOP’s $21.9 billion state education proposal is larger than those presented by the Senate and the governor — but how that money is spent varies between the plans.
The Republican proposal would cut hundreds of millions of dollars from so-called ‘categoricals,’ or grants provided to support specific programs like literacy coaching or school infrastructure.
“There will be many opportunities for the districts to make that determination if and how they actually operate those programs,” said Rep. Ann Bollin, (R) District 49, Brighton Twp.
Some of the reductions include $200 million from the Universal School Breakfast and Lunch Program, $151 million for student mental health and school safety, $125 million for transportation support and nearly $40 million in Career and Technical Education funding.
“What we’ve done is give the option to the districts,” said Rep. Tim Kelly, (R) District 93, Saginaw Twp. “Do they want to continue this free — free lunch, breakfast, or do they want to start charging certain members? Certainly, families can afford to do this.”
Any budget has to be agreed upon by House Republicans, Senate Democrats and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Senate Democrats, who passed their education budget last month, already say that the proposal is dead-on-arrival.
“We’ve done things together, but this budget is a non-starter,” said Sen. Darrin Camilleri, (D) District 4, Trenton. “Let me be clear — this budget is a non-starter.”
Republicans say that the changes would give the schools more flexibility in how they spend their funding.
“We’re trying to provide as much money up front as we can to the classroom, to the student and for the schools to deliver what we think is a — what should be a quality education,” Kelly said.
Most of those dollars would still go to schools through the per-pupil allowance, which would climb over 20% to $12,000.
Some Democrats showed their frustrations with the proposed shifts in funding.
“No money set aside for teacher recruitment. No money set aside for rural and isolated school districts,” said Sen. Dayna Polehanki, (D) District 5, Livonia. “How does this budget make sense? How does this budget improve academics or school safety or mental and physical health? How?”
The House, lead by Speaker Matt Hall, has all but acknowledged it plans to blow past the state’s budget deadline of June 30, which is set in law but carries no penalties for violations.
“Speaker Hall, our job is to negotiate a budget and pass it by July 1. That’s what the law says,” Camilleri said. “So let me be very clear here — we are not negotiating cuts in schools.”
The House bill passed with support from most Republicans and opposition from all present Democrats and two Republicans.
Lawmakers also haven’t ruled out the possibility of a state government shutdown, which would happen if they’re unable to reach an agreement by Oct. 1.