Fact Check: Clearing The Air On State Education Funding
Statement
Today, the Detroit Free Press released a "fact check" on Governor Snyder's latest television ad entitled "Linda." Despite what some have claimed, Governor Snyder has made education a priority, increased funding, and worked to make sure our schools have the resources they need all while balancing the budget. This is in contrast to several years under the Granholm Administration where K-12 education funding was cut.
The Detroit Free Press found the Governor's ad on education to be factual, giving it a 3 out of 3 on the truthfulness
Here is a look at some of the claims made in the ad regarding education funding:
Claim: "Gov. Snyder has increased K-12 state funding every year he's been in office."
Reality: True. Again using numbers from the Senate Fiscal Agency, state funding for K-12 increased to $11.1 billion in fiscal year 2012, which was Snyder's first budget, to $11.2 billion in 2013, $11.5 billion in 2014, and $12.1 billion in 2015. the untruth that Snyder cut $1 billion from public schools should be put to rest. (Detroit Free Press, 10/29/14)
Claim: "At least we're not cutting state education funding like Granholm and Schauer did."
Reality: True. According to the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency, the state share of total K-12 funding in the 2003 fiscal year, when Democratic former Gov. Jennifer Granholm took office, was $11.3 billion. The total amount of state funds spent on K-12 education in the 2011 fiscal year, under Granholm's last budget, was $10.8 billion. (Detroit Free Press, 10/29/14)
Schauer served in the Michigan Senate for most of the Granholm years, from the start of 2003 to the end of 2008, serving his last two years as Senate Minority Leader. Though he and his party were not in control of the Senate, Schauer supported Granholm. (Detroit Free Press, 10/29/14)
Republicans in Michigan are working to make sure the next generation of leaders have access to a quality education.
Bill has been working at the federal level to increase opportunity for West Michigan students by getting Washington out of the classroom and properly restoring education decisions to those who know our children best -- our local school boards and the educators in our community.
The fact is, Republicans are putting forward education solutions that not only continue, but sustain Michigan's comeback and build a longstanding base of success for our children.
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