Snyder To Ask Legislature For Boost In University Spending

LANSING (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder plans to ask the Legislature to approve a $28 million increase in state spending for university operations.

The 2 percent bump is part of a spending plan to be unveiled Wednesday. If approved, the higher education budget would reach $1.544 billion for the fiscal year starting in October, with $1.4 billion coming from the general fund.

Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel says it's "one of the keys to the future."

It's the fourth consecutive year of increased higher education funding, following three years of decreases.

Much like in last year's higher education budget, Michigan universities would be eligible for increases in operations funding if they meet certain prerequisites. A difference in those metrics is keeping tuition increases capped at 2.8 percent, down from 3.2 percent.