$34.2 Billion Spending Package Passes House

Education Budget a Day Later

After more than an hour of debate and 46 total amendments offered, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 5365 Wednesday - the omnibus appropriations bill for all non-education spending. The budget bill provides for $34.2 billion in funding.

Five Republicans voted “no” with the entire Democratic caucus, for a 58-52 final tally. Representatives Ken Goike (R-Ray Township), Thomas Hooker (R-Byron Center), Andrea LaFontaine (R-Richmond), Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), and Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) accounted for the Republican “no” votes.

Seven Republican amendments were added to the bill, including a requirement that those departments spending more than $75 million provide reports of the top ten measurable outcomes the department intends to achieve with the funding.

House Bill 5372, the omnibus education funding measure or “school bus” passed the House Thursday on a narrow 56-54 vote. The budget contains the House’s proposal for K-12, community college and higher education funding for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

The legislation was then given immediate effect on a record roll call vote, requested by House Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas (R-Midland). The immediate effect vote passed 100-10 with all 10 “no” votes coming from Democratic House members. Unlike Wednesday’s procedural action on HB 5365, Democrats were allowed to speak to their amendments to the education omnibus bill. Overall, 22 amendments were addressed with only six being adopted.

The roughly $14.5 billion budget includes $11.2 billion in School Aid Fund appropriations. Of the seven Republicans that voted against the measure, more than one voiced concern over language that may result in funding difficulties for all-day kindergarten programming.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, April 27, 2012 9:58 AM
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