LANSING – In an effort to prevent the drastic cuts to K-12 education proposed in Governor Snyder’s budget, State Representative George T. Darany (D-Dearborn) today supported a plan to restore $760 million in school aid funding by using a surplus in state revenue to ensure that Michigan’s schools have the resources to prepare our children for the jobs of the 21st century.
“With all the talk of preparing our children for the new Michigan economy, I cannot see how taking a dedicated revenue stream from our schools furthers our economic recovery,” Darany said. “The existence of a surplus in the School Aid Fund is a positive sign of economic progress in our state. It is too bad the certain lawmakers in the legislature want to now take that money from its rightful place: the classrooms. The people of Dearborn and the entire state know that these cuts will be devastating. It’s unfortunate Republican lawmakers refuse to listen to that reasoning”
Last week, House Republicans passed a budget plan that cuts $1.1 billion from K-12 funding to subsidize a massive corporate tax break. Under the plan, Michigan’s schools will see cuts of at least $426 per student with some school districts being hit with cuts as large as $1,558 per student.
Due to increased income and sales tax collections in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, the state has a surplus of nearly $800 million in the School Aid Fund, according to the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency. The plan Darany supported today would use these funds to prevent deep budget cuts to education; however, House Republicans blocked it from receiving a vote or even discussion on the House Floor.