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Revenue Estimates Show Need for Targeted Investments

Officials from the State Treasurer’s office and the House and Senate fiscal agencies came together last week to update projections of state revenue. These numbers will be used to set spending levels for the state budget, which will be announced next month.

The good news is that the school aid fund – the primary source of public school funding – is expected to continue growing at around 3 percent each year. For the current fiscal year, this means about $114 million more than previously expected. For next year, Michigan is expected to have more than $13.4 billion for school aid spending – more than $130 million higher than earlier forecasts.

Unfortunately, the General Fund, which funds a wider range of government functions, is not expected to see similar growth. Projections for next fiscal year are now about $150 million less than earlier expectations.

These spending levels show the need to target investments into proven strategies in order to achieve stronger outcomes for students. With limited room for increased spending, ensuring that every dollar toward education is spent in the most effective way is critical. Michigan should rely more on data and evidence to ensure that key education investments – such as improving early literacy and serving our most vulnerable students well – make the greatest difference for student learning.

On MLK Day, acknowledge the past to improve U.S. future

The following excerpt is from an article by John B. King, Jr., which ran in The Baltimore Sun on January 13, 2018.

To truly honor Martin Luther King’s legacy, it is important for us not only to celebrate the progress that the civil rights movement made possible but also to grapple with the full truth of our nation’s history, to acknowledge the inequities with which our society still struggles and to recognize our individual responsibility for social change…

Indeed, our past and our present are complicated, and it’s critical for all of us to acknowledge this truth. To do so, we must confront the brutality of the institution of slavery and its defining role in America’s social, economic, and political history…

I am convinced we will make better choices when we grapple with our history in all its complexity — the ugliness and the glory — and when we commit ourselves to increasing equity and opportunity for all.

As King implored in his final speech, “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be.”

Click here for the full article.

Capital Update

The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday on Senate Bill 727 (Pavlov – R), regarding interim teaching certificates.

The House Education Reform Committee will meet on Thursday, January 18 at 9:00 AM in room 521 of the House Office Building. The agenda includes SBs 544 – 548 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 (Colbeck –R), regarding the use of education savings accounts.

The Senate Economic Development and International Investment Committee will meet on Thursday, January 18 at 1:30 PM in room 1200 of the Binsfeld Building. The agenda includes SB 684 (Horn – R) regarding educational development plans and SB 685 (MacGregor) regarding school improvement plans.

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