Governor Snyder bumps Education Funding in Budget ( Today)

Snyder budget plans include bump in education funding, Medicaid expansion

By Associated Press and Crain's Detroit Business

LANSING — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder will propose giving public schools, universities and community colleges 2 percent more funding in the next school year.

State budget director John Nixon tells The Associated Press that the governor's budget being released later today requires universities to hold tuition increases to under 4 percent or lose part of their state aid.

The Republican governor also will ask lawmakers to double enrollment in a preschool program for kids at risk of failing.

Democrats are likely to complain that education spending isn't going up enough.

Nixon said K-12 districts that now get the minimum amount of aid would receive $34 more per student this fall. Mid-level and wealthier districts would not get the extra money but could qualify for additional funding if they meet performance benchmarks or "best practices."