Michigan Legislature nears final OK of K-12 funding spike

Michigan lawmakers are nearing final approval of a $17.1 billion K-12 budget, one that would eliminate a longstanding base per-student funding gap among districts and boost overall funding by a substantial 10%. The bill was advanced by the Senate on a nearly unanimous vote after changes were made Wednesday. The Senate also unanimously passed a $1.7 billion spending bill that would fund revenue-sharing payments to municipalities and use federal COVID-19 relief aid to help hospitals and nursing homes facing financial struggles due to the pandemic. The House could soon send the measures to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature.