By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-901293.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The Michigan State Board of Education has recommended that state lawmakers to approve a package of reforms and taxes to pay for schools.
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The recommendations include changes to teacher pension and health care. The plan also includes a new graduated income tax and expanding the sales tax to services.
State schools Superintendent Michael Flanagan says he understands these types of controversial measures have had a hard time gaining much traction in the Legislature over the past several years.
"This is saying you need to make some hard choices, and especially with legacy costs and things like that at the same time," he says.
Flanagan says reforms and new taxes are necessary to fund important programs in schools.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are having a tough time reaching a bargain on a proposal to save school districts money by encouraging veteran teachers to retire.