House Education Budget Differs From Snyder On University Aid

LANSING (AP) - A legislative committee has approved a $16.2 billion education spending plan with a modest boost in K-12 aid but different amounts for universities and community colleges than proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The proposal passed Wednesday increases university operations funding by 3.4 percent, less than a 4.4 percent boost sought by the Republican governor. Democrats on the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee who voted against the bill say funding for roughly a third of Michigan's 15 universities would stay below levels from six years ago.

The House plan increases community college aid by 3.4 percent, more than Snyder's proposal. The panel concurred with Snyder's proposed K-12 funding increase ranging between $60 and $120 per student.

The vote was the first by either chamber's full appropriations committee on the next state budget.