Higher Education Funding In State Budget Discussed

When lawmakers return to Lansing next week, they’ll resume work on the 2016 budget, including higher education funding.

The Michigan House and Senate have different versions, with the Senate so far agreeing with the Governor’s proposal which increases funding two percent, but the House cutting that in half, to just a one percent increase.

There are also differing approaches to state mandated caps on tuition increases.

The President’s Council, State Universities of Michigan would rather have the two percent increase, but notes that one percent is better than being cut.

But Michigan House Democrat Sam Singh of East Lansing says a one percent increase is far from adequate, especially since state funding for higher ed has lagged in recent years.