New Proposal in Lansing Would Eliminate $725 Million Annually from Michigan's Schools
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Last week our representatives in the State House voted to eliminate sales tax from fuel in order to offset an increase to the gas tax. By doing so, the School Aid Fund, which is funded by sales tax, stands to lose $725 million annually. All revenue raised from the gas tax increase would go to fix Michigan’s roads and infrastructure, but that fix would come at the expense of Michigan’s students, cutting about $475 per pupil. For Manchester that would be about $500,000 annually.
“We cannot continue to cut public education, taking much-needed dollars out of the classroom and expect to deliver a quality education to our students,” said Kathy Hayes, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). “Research shows that people value good roads, but not nearly as much as they value education. It’s time to put kids first.”
Nearly 75 percent of the money raised through the sales tax on gas is earmarked for schools. This new legislation would eliminate that—forcing drastic cuts to public education.
“We support fixing our roads, but we shouldn't do it on the backs of our schools,” said William Mayes, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA). “We need to start valuing public education in Michigan and make a solid investment in our future. If we don’t, it won’t matter how nice our roads are. We won’t have anyone left in Michigan to drive on them.”
Because the Senates road funding plan is very different from the House's plan, they now have to reach a compromise in order for a road funding reform to pass. The Senates plan, which the Governor supports, doesn't affect fuel sales tax revenue. If they intend to have something in place before the close of this legislative session they will have to reach that compromise by the end of next week. In all likelihood they are in a committee meeting right now working this out; it's not too late to contact your local representative or senator and have a voice in this decision.
“Our buses, parents and students rely on Michigan roads to travel safely to and from school everyday," said Dr. William Miller, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA). "We appreciate the solution that is supported by the Governor and the Senate and hope that the House will follow suit and not support a package that negatively affects school funding.”
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