Detroit Public Schools Trust Fund Moves to Senate Floor

The Senate Appropriations Committee reported a bill creating the Detroit Public Schools Trust Fund to the full Senate on Wednesday.

SB 895 does not include an appropriation, however bill sponsor Senator Geoff Hansen (R-Hart) commented the bill would be a vehicle for SB 819, a bill that provides per-pupil allocations to what would be the Detroit Community Schools. Senator Hansen added the specific allocations are dependent on a House and Senate agreement of what the future Detroit Public Schools (DPS) looks like, both financially and operationally. Several members of the Senate have expressed concerns regarding the House proposal, feeling the primary focus is away from the students.

Governor Rick Snyder has recommended earmarking $72 million annually from tobacco settlement revenue to the district over a period of 10 years. The full Senate plan includes $715 million to pay down the district’s debt and provides $200 million in transition costs for a new school district. In addition, a Detroit Education Commission will be established to oversee school openings.

Over the weekend, AT&T announced its support for the Senate plan, joining the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and Business Leaders for Michigan. President of AT&T Michigan, Jim Murray, voiced the company’s support to the Detroit News saying that this plan is one of the rare bipartisan legislative efforts efforts for DPS.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, May 20, 2016 11:21 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

This Week's Newsletter

Past Newsletters