LANSING (WKZO-AM) — The Michigan House has approved their version of the Omnibus School Budget.
Budget Committee Chair Al Pscholka said they propose to spend $16.1 billion on education, more than the State of Michigan ever has spent on schools.
House Speaker Kevin Cotter said the Senate has yet to approve their version, and he expects it to wind up in a conference committee.
Democrats took issue with a million dollar budget item will partially reimburse private schools to cover the cost of state mandates, like fire drills. Democrats say it’s unconstitutional for private, mostly religious schools to receive tax dollars.
The package shifts $72 million from tobacco funds to pay the first installment on a bail out of the Detroit Public Schools.
It also hikes per-pupil funding about $60 for richer districts and $120 for poorer ones.
