By AP
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Gov. Jennifer Granholm has traveled to west Michigan to ask school officials to help convince lawmakers to raise more money for education.
The Democratic governor stopped in Muskegon and Grand Rapids on Friday, one day after ordering a $127 per student cut to funding that will take effect later this year unless revenue is found to avoid it.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop has sent letters to some superintendents saying the governor is misrepresenting the budget situation. He says it's part of an attempt to coerce the Legislature into raising taxes.
Granholm earlier this week signed the equivalent of a $165 per student cut into state law. The $127 per student reduction - about $212 million statewide - would come on top of that.
Some wealthier districts face steeper cuts.