A school budget plan for the 2020 fiscal year is moving through the Michigan Senate.
On Thursday, the Senate K-12 and Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved a package that increases spending by nearly $400 million.
Committee chair Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) says GOP lawmakers are crafting the budget on current state revenues, versus one that’s based on a future tax increase. He says the plan offers more funding for all school districts.
“I think we’ve got a very good first product,” Schmidt says. “The key being, large foundation increases…both for districts that are at the lowest end-funded and at higher ended-funded, they’re getting more money. That’s the biggest takeaway.”
Schmidt says this education budget represents the largest school foundation increase since 2002. It now goes to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.