LANSING – State Representative Dan Scripps (D-Leland) voted today to restore $184 million in funding to schools, promote equity in school funding and ease deep cuts to early childhood education that could seriously impact Michigan's ability to prepare children for future jobs.
"At a time when we need to prepare our kids for the jobs of a 21st century knowledge-based economy, these dramatic cuts would have shortchanged students and left them with an uncertain future," said Scripps. "Investing in our kids is the right thing to do, even more so in these tough economic times."
The plan passed by the House today will leverage $184 million in federal funding to ease the per-pupil cuts facing Michigan schools. The plan also included a Scripps amendment to fully fund the Great Start Readiness Program competitive grant program, which was cut by 50% in the recent budget.
"Early childhood investment provides an incredible return to the taxpayer," said Scripps, who chairs the Legislative Children's Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group working to highlight the importance of early childhood investment. "Sustained investment in early childhood initiatives must be a central part of any strategy to return prosperity to Michigan."
Today's legislation would also make it a priority to provide additional funding for Michigan's under-funded schools, a major goal for Scripps, who founded the Bipartisan School Equity Caucus earlier this year. These schools would receive a total of $25.7 million from the Michigan Future Fund once revenue is identified. Schools that would benefit include Benzie County Central Schools, Suttons Bay Public Schools, Bear Lake Schools, Manistee Area Schools, Casman Alternative Academy, Mason County Central and Mason County Eastern.
In addition, the House voted to move the date that the Legislature must complete the School Aid Budget from Oct. 1 to June 1. This change will better allow Michigan schools to plan for their academic school year before it begins, rather then waiting until it has already begun.
"I've heard from a lot of principals and administrators who have expressed concern about how the disruption that can be caused by funding cuts taking place in the middle of the school year," Scripps said. "The dysfunction in Lansing should not get in the way of our teachers being able to provide a quality education for our children. A June 1 deadline would give districts enough time to complete budgets with a clear idea of how much funding from the state is headed their way."