LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Rick Snyder detailed how he would like to spend the $56-billion state budget to the Joint Appropriations Committee Wednesday while protestors could be heard outside.
Snyder says he wants to double what he proposed spending on K thru 12 last year and add $175-million to the money that has already been pledged to fix roads.
He proposed allocating $3-million to hire and train new State Police officers, and over $9-million for new corrections officers and to fill current openings in the department.
The Governor admitted he made a mistake trying to privatize lfood service staff in the state’s prisons resulting in spoiled food and scandal. He is asking for extra money to restore a kitchen staff that works directly for the Corrections Department.
Kalamazoo Democrat Jon Hoadley says he likes the Governor’s priorities, but doubts the Republican Leadership will. He applauded the Governor’s recycling initiatives, but said he would have liked to see more money put into reducing student debt and making college more affordable.
Hoadley says if history is any guide, most of what the Governor has proposed will not survive the coming budget deliberations in the Legislature, but he says its a nice place to start.
Senator Margaret O’Brien still wants to hit MSU in the wallet if the University fails to cooperate or adequately address the problem of sexual abuse on Campus.
O’Brien tells us that Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, who chairs the Senate Higher Education Budget Committee should and will have the option available.
The push-back comes after top legislative leaders met with Interim President John Engler last week and Engler told media afterwards that lawmakers did not intend to punish the university that way.
Why were people protesting the Governor’s budget power point? They were from 15 different groups on the low end of the economic ladder who claim the Snyder boom has been a bust for them, and would like to see a higher minimum wage.
