Mich. House OKs $56.7B budge, per-pupil funding hike

Lansing – Michigan’s public schools would receive their largest increase in base per-student funding in 17 years under a budget plan endorsed by the state House.

The Republican-controlled House approved the plan Tuesday, including a boost ranging from $120 to $240 per pupil proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder. Once the Senate passes a proposal and revised revenue estimates are released, a budget agreement will be finalized in June.

Though the House backed the governor’s base K-12 funding proposal, it rejected proposed cuts to online charter schools and to aid that helps public schools enroll private students in elective classes.

Unlike Snyder, the House voted to close a prison next fiscal year.

Republicans rejected Democratic amendments to spend more on road improvements and to restore free bottled water for Flint residents.