Schor Sponsors Bills Increasing School Aid, Encouraging Grads to Choose Michigan

LANSING – State Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing) introduced education related legislation today that would help improve Michigan’s economy through better schools for K-12 students and retaining our talented college graduates.

“If we are going to prepare our students for college and the workforce, then we need to ensure that every child, no matter his or her address, receives a good education,” said Schor. “Some schools receive $12,000 per pupil and others receive $7,000 per pupil. That is not equality. HB 4183 fixes this by creating a glide path towards equality for all children and schools.”

Schor’s bill would bring the state minimum foundation allowance closer to the state guaranteed maximum foundation allowance by reinstituting the 2X formula the state once used. School districts at the bottom level of funding would receive twice as much of an increase in funding as those at the top. School districts falling in-between would receive increases on a sliding scale outlined in Schor’s bill. This would equalize the state’s minimum and maximum foundation allowance levels in 10 years’ time.

Schor’s second bill, HB 4182, would encourage students graduating from Michigan’s higher education institutions to live and work in Michigan after graduation by offering income tax credits for a portion of their student debt. Eligible individuals could claim an income tax credit equal to 50 percent of the amount of qualified student loan payments made during a tax year – up to 20 percent of the average yearly tuition for Michigan’s public universities.

“This plan is based on the successful Opportunity Maine Program. This bill will help our students afford college and stay in state after they graduate,” said Schor. “I am optimistic that it will work well for Michigan by not only helping students with their college loan debts, but also sending a message to businesses and industries that we have the well-educated workforce they need. This is a tax credit that will pay us back through retaining talent in Michigan which will ensure we have good-paying jobs.”