The Michigan Turnaround Plan recognizes the importance of making investments to grow the economy, but also the need to prioritize them on growing talent and building infrastructure while paying down debt. The Governor’s FY15 Budget Recommendation will give more kids a chance to start school ready to learn, increase college affordability, provide more workers the technical training they need, fix more of our roads and reduce future fiscal liabilities.
The Executive Recommendation recognizes that MI needs more workers with an education beyond high school than ever before by strategically investing in higher education. It proposes increasing funding for our colleges and universities by $8.9 million and $80.3 million, respectively – tied to performance measures, including controlling college costs. The additional dollars would be allocated based on how well each meets rigorous performance metrics.
BLM’s view: The Executive Recommendation is a sound budget proposal that reflects how Top Ten states prioritize state spending to grow the economy. We urge the Legislature to support it as it not only serves our students and families well but also ensures MI has the future talent it needs.