LANSING – State Representative Marilyn Lane (D-Fraser) voted in opposition of a destructive education budget plan that slashes $1.1 billion in K-12 funding. Under the plan, which now heads to the Senate, community colleges and state universities will be cut by about 15 percent and Michigan’s K-12 schools will see cuts of at least $426 per student.
“I am truly disappointed,” said Lane. “I came to Lansing with the full intention to work across the aisle on budget policies with my colleagues to ensure our state fosters a good business climate to get our friends and neighbors back to work. I just cannot support such devastating cuts to the future investment of our state.”
According to the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency, if the budget for Fiscal Year 2012 was frozen at current spending levels – meaning no further cuts to school funding – there would be a surplus of $650 million in the School Aid Fund. This proposal transfers revenue from the surplus in School Aid Fund to Higher Education, manufacturing a deficit within the K-12 budget.
“This budget proposal is working backward in turning our state around. I have reviewed and supported other budget plans and suggestions from my fellow colleagues that will lessen the damage done to our children’s education that were simply ignored.” Lane added, “These disturbing cuts will deal a crippling blow to our children, neighbors, and communities.”