United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Last week, Congress continued to take preliminary steps to craft the FY2012 budget. Before leaving for recess last week, the House set total budget amounts for each subcommittee to appropriate. Most federal departments that conduct Agenda for Change-related work face large cuts (between 12 and 14 percent) over last year.

The Senate announced that they will further postpone releasing a budget proposal to counter Rep Paul Ryan’s budget resolution, which was passed by the House. Recent concerns about the country’s debt burden are placing greater pressure on legislators to make cuts to programs, instead of continue deficit spending.

State government leaders in the Senate, House, and Governor’s office, reached a deal education spending in the state budget. The deal included an additional $310 million for K-12 funding. This agreement came after legislators received news that projected revenues for FY2012 are higher than originally estimated, generating a surplus of close to $500 million. The state is expected to pass the budget by the end of the month.

Education
Federal

• The House Education Committee intends to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, also known as No Child Left Behind), by splitting the process into “bite-size pieces.” The first of these is HR 1891 , a bill introduced by Representative Duncan Hunter to eliminate 43 education programs on the grounds that they are ineffective or unnecessary.
  
• Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) re-introduced S. 929, “Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN) Act,” which is called “the essential literacy piece” of ESEA reauthorization.
  
• The Senate originally intended to have a draft of ESEA, by mid-April. That deadline has passed, but the Committee continues negotiations and hopes to introduce a bill soon.

State

• The education budget agreement includes some cuts to per-pupil funding, but they are much less severe than those proposed in any other plan. Schools would see a cut of about $100 per pupil. However, new per-pupil spending would be in the form of one-time funds.
  
  
  • Schools that adopt financial best practices would be rewarded on a per-pupil basis
    
  • The state would relieve some financial burden on schools by making a payment into the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System
  
  
• Leaders in the education community say they are pleased with the early decision on education budgets compared to previous years, because it allows school budgets to be completed early.
  
• The House Committee on Education reported a package of bills, HB 4625-4628, to the full House for an eventual vote. These bills would dramatically modify teacher tenure by using effectiveness, not seniority, as the basis for protections, expanding the probationary period, and changing the dismissal process. The action follows a series of contentious hearings.
  
• Thousands of early childhood advocates attended Thursday’s “Star Power” rally at the Capitol.
  
• Representative Jon Switalski presented a proposal for a new school funding scheme, involving a new graduated income tax, a certain percentage of which would be dedicated to K-12 schools. The Representative claims his plan would provide stable, sufficient school funding.
  
• The House Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors held hearings on HB 4003, a bill that would bar home-based child care workings from being considered state employees for unionization or other purposes.
  
• Representative Bob Genetski introduced HB 4644 and 4645, to increase the probation period for teacher tenure and to modify certification requirements.
  
• The Mackinac Center held a forum titled “School Funding in Michigan: Common Myths,” designed to counter common claims that schools are underfunded and face unpredictable funding.

Income
State

• Rep Jim Ananich introduced HB 4649, to require employers to provide information about eligibility for EITC.
  
• Rep Jim Ananich also introduced HB 4651, to require judicial foreclosure for certain residential mortgages.
  
• The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a ”report claiming that housing has become less affordable for low- and moderate income workers. The report details how an increase in fair market rents over the last decade has put most homes out of reach for the average renter.

Basic Needs
Federal

• The House Appropriations Committee is considering a proposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which would include $120M for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. This is the same funding level as last year.
  
• It is anticipated that when Representatives return to the Capitol next week, the Appropriations Committee will begin work on the Agriculture spending bill, which includes nutrition programs.

State

• The Michigan League for Human Services released a report arguing that lawmakers should make investments in people, as well as businesses, as part Michigan’s economic revitalization. The League makes several specific recommendations for changes in the following programs or areas:
  
  
  • Family Independence Program (welfare)
    
  • Education and training
    
  • Higher education
    
  • Early Childhood
    
  • Health care
    
  • Housing
    
  • Public transportation
    
  • Unemployment Insurance
    
  • Minimum wage
    
  • EITC
    
  • Taxes
    
  • Leveraging federal funds
    
  • Racial equity
  
  
• Many legislators have stated they will attempt to reinstate asset requirements for SNAP recipients, in light of recent news about a lottery winner who legally receives food assistance.
  
• The House Health Policy Committee held a discussion on obesity. Panelists' presentations included the Michigan Good Food Charter, healthy food and nutrition education in schools, as well as food deserts, access to farmers markets, and obesity prevention in early childhood.

Now tell me what you think: How do you think this will affect residents of Southeastern Michigan?