By AP
LANSING, MI – Michigan's public universities face a 15 percent cut in state aid for operations under terms of a budget bill moving through the state Legislature.
The Republican-led Senate approved the higher education funding bill by a 21-16 vote Tuesday mostly along party lines. The measure is expected to get approval in the House and be sent to Gov. Rick Snyder this month.
The bill was among the first advanced by Republican-dominated conference committees made up of House and Senate lawmakers. Legislators are seeking final compromises on spending plans for the state budget year that begins in October.
Operations funding for the state's public universities would be cut by 15 percent across the board under the proposal.
Universities could lose more money if they don't limit tuition increases to around 7 percent.