LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Governor Rick Snyder has asked the State Supreme Court to issue a ruling on whether or not a budget provision setting aside $2.5-million to reimburse private schools for state mandates is constitutional.
The money is supposed to reimburse privately operated schools for holding fire and tornado drills and keeping innoculation records, which are required of them by the state.
Snyder questioned whether it was appropriate when he signed the budget a few weeks ago and a number of groups have been preparing legal challenges.
The State Constitution bans spending taxpayer money on the private schools, a law that was reinforced when voters upheld the measure several years ago.
The Governor’s request to take the short cut and go straight to the State Supreme Court for a resolution is being applauded by both sides because they both are sure the Justices will rule in their favor.
Kalamazoo Rep. Jon Hoadley says it’s clearly unconstitutional.
The Michigan Catholic Conference says it’s a common sense measure that insures the safety of students, regardless of the school they go to.
But Kalamazoo School Supt. Micheal Rice says Public Schools are not reimbursed separately for carrying out state mandates.
There is no guarantee the Justices will agree to shortcut the process, they have said ‘no’ to such requests before.
