Rep. Pamela Hornberger, chair of the House Education Committee, today voted in support of the Legislature’s school aid budget, which includes the largest-ever investment for Michigan students in the state’s history.

The budget provides a total of $15.2 billion for K-12 schools. Under the bipartisan-approved plan, per-pupil funding would increase for every student in Michigan by $120 to $240 – a total increase of more than $300 million in the foundation allowance. The governor’s recommendation capped the increase at just $180 per student.

“When creating this budget, we relied on expert research that determined which areas of education need greater investment to improve achievement for every student in Michigan,” said Hornberger, a former educator. “We’ve fulfilled all of those areas, including those overlooked by the governor.”

The Legislature’s plan:

• Increases Career Technical Education funding to $50 per student and includes $16 million in equipment grants for a total of nearly $74 million in CTE investment.
• Triples the investment in literacy coaches.
• Includes a total investment of $510 million in at-risk students.
• Nearly triples funding for English language learners.
• Includes $60 million more than last year to reimburse school districts for special education costs.
• Provides $7 million for isolated school district funding and includes a tiered formula to allow for a wider distribution of funds to students in rural districts.
• Includes additional investments in school safety grants and school-based health and mental health programs.

“We don’t need to saddle taxpayers with a giant tax increase to achieve a quality budget for our students,” said Hornberger, of Chesterfield Township. “This budget hits on all of the line items the governor called for and more. It’s time to get this budget signed and delivered for our kids.”

The plan now heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.

###