The Michigan Legislature approved a budget bill Wednesday that includes a 5.9 percent increase for Michigan’s 15 public universities — a critical move in positioning the state as a top 10 player for jobs, personal income, and a strong economy, says the Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable.
Half of the funding is based on performance measures that reward schools for producing graduates to fill Michigan jobs and to control costs and increase affordability for Michigan students. The budget also provides a 5.9 percent increase for state programs to help students at private colleges pay for their tuition.
“In the next 10 years and beyond, Michigan will need more workers with education and training beyond high school to fill job demand,” says Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of the state’s business roundtable. “This budget will help make college more affordable so that Michigan students can get the skills necessary to fill those jobs.”
Rothwell adds the budget marks the most significant investment in higher education in a decade.
“As Michigan has begun to turn around and its economic condition has improved, Gov. (Rick) Snyder has made reinvesting in higher education a priority,” Rothwell says. “We look forward to continuing to work with Gov. Snyder, our legislative leaders, and our state universities to produce the graduates we need and to make college even more affordable.”
