By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-1001947.mp3
LANSING, MI – Governor Rick Snyder says he has heard many opinions about how projected surplus tax revenue in the state budget should be spent.
The governor appears to have his own ideas as he prepares to present his budget proposal next week.
Governor Snyder says he agrees with the many Democratic lawmakers who want more money to be spent on education.
"I've also been fairly clear, though, it shouldn't just be about writing checks," Snyder says. "It should be about making sure we're setting some standards to see real performance and encouraging student growth in particular."
Governor Snyder says he is not ready to reveal his plans for K-12 or higher education in the budget. However, Snyder does appear cool to a proposal to spend surplus money in the budget to hire a thousand new police officers, or another to decrease the state's income tax rate. He says the state needs to make sure it's paying down long-term liabilities and approving adequate funding for existing programs.