By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-910675.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The state Legislature has approved a K-12 budget that does not make any new cuts to schools.
AUDIO:
Almost all lawmakers voted in favor of the schools budget, which includes a nominal increase in per-pupil funding. The greatest philosophical divide now is over how to spend a $200-million surplus in the school aid fund - whether to keep that money allocated for schools, or use it to fill other areas of the budget.
Democratic state Senator Mickey Switalski.
"Even people who violently disagree on that point, can agree that this bill does not prejudice their position on that point, and they can go forward with this," he says.
The Legislature worked to complete the schools budget this week to coincide with the fiscal year of school districts. Now lawmakers will turn their attention toward many other budget issues, including how to plug a large shortfall in the current budget.