2001 House Bill 4371 ↩

House Roll Call 453: Passed

To close a deficit in the three-year K-12 school aid budget by reducing the growth rate of spending previously approved for the period. At the time of passage, estimates by state economists show the school aid fund will experience a $174.4 million revenue shortfall in 2002, and $563 million in 2003. Under the bill school aid spending would still increase, but the growth would be $350 million less over three years than previously planned, and the current fund balance would be drawn down. Previously programmed spending increases are reduced by cutting certain “categorical” line items such as school infrastructure grants, remedial reading programs, summer school reading programs, school “readiness” programs, “parent education” home visits, professional development programs, school counselors, the “Golden Apple” program, and adult education. Exempted from cuts are the basic per-pupil school aid grants. Since the 1994 Proposal A initiative these grants are the core funding source for regular school operations. The grants would rise each year, and overall school aid spending would still increase each year. On “big ticket” items, the conference report reduces some of the reading programs, in 2002, and eliminates them in 2003. The same applies to the home visit program. Third-grade remedial summer school grants are eliminated in 2002 and 2003. Certain grants to Detroit schools are restored. The report removes a House prohibition on funding for a controversial public school academy (charter school) chartered by an Upper Peninsula community college which serves Indians throughout the state.