A recent MLive news story opened by reporting that “some” Michigan school districts could see a decrease in state funding under Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget proposal, but the “majority” would see some sort of increase. The article doesn't say how many schools are projected to get reduced funding.
ForTheRecord says: “Some” means 33 out of 800-plus conventional school districts and charter schools will lose money, with funding trimmed by $23 per pupil on average. Meanwhile, hundreds of other districts and charter schools – 96 percent of them – will get an increase in funding. Some high-profile examples:
- Detroit Public Schools (+$191 per pupil)
- Battle Creek Public Schools (+$191 per pupil)
- Albion Public Schools (+$236 per pupil)
- Flint Community Schools (+$307 per pupil)
During last year's election campaign allies of the public school establishment attempted a "Big Lie" strategy peddling the false claim that annual school budgets had been cut by $1 billion. The poor-mouthing is now carrying over to a new school year. However, the Snyder administration budget proposal delivers even more funding to public schools. State dollars to K-12 schools will rise from $11.94 billion in 2014-15 to $12.26 billion in 2015-16 and to $12.64 billion the following year.
Editor's note: This ForTheRecord was changed.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
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Michigan Senate enables state environmental regulations to exceed federal
Michigan hasn’t defunded education
Growing Michigan Together Council says more education spending will draw people to state
House Republicans Announce Criminal Justice Reforms
Members of the Michigan House of Representatives today announced efforts to reform the state’s criminal laws. The efforts will be spearheaded by a working group, co-chaired by Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, and Rep. Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth.
The group will identify antiquated or unnecessary criminal statutes that can be repealed, and will recommend penalties that fit the severity of the crime. A package of bills introduced would repeal numerous outdated laws. The announced reforms are part of the House Republican Action Plan.
A 2014 study published by the Mackinac Center and the Manhattan Institute found that Michigan has more than 3,100 laws on the books and has created an average of 45 new crimes in each of the last six years.
Legislators are taking an encouraging first step toward a comprehensive review of Michigan’s criminal code. Its criminal law is overgrown with prohibitions that do little to protect personal safety or property. The House would do well to review even more criminal laws, particularly where the law harshly penalizes activity that most residents would consider harmless. In addition to repealing silly or outdated laws, the Legislature should enact a “default mens rea” bill, which would clarify the criminal intent required for the commission of a crime.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
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