2001 House Bill 4371 ↩

Senate Roll Call 256: 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 less over three years than previously planned, and the current school aid fund balance would be drawn down. Among the larger reductions in spending growth are cuts in previously programmed spending on “categorical” line items such as school infrastructure grants, remedial reading programs, summer school reading programs, school “readiness” programs, 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 Senate budget eliminates some of the reading programs, but does not cut the home visit program. Certain grants to Detroit schools are restored. The Senate 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.