LANSING – A $15.75 billion budget funding the state’s universities, community colleges and K-12 schools was sent to Governor Rick Snyder on Wednesday after both the House and Senate passed the bill on relatively narrow margins.

HB 5314 passed the House on a 60-50 vote. House Democrats could have killed the bill with 13 Republicans opposing the budget. The Senate also narrowly passed the bill with a 21-17 votes, with three Senate Republicans opposing the bill.

The bill does not differ from the conference reports for SB 775 , SB 762 and SB 768 .

A major sticking point within the K-12 budget is a $50 across the board foundation increase, which some say isn’t enough for struggling schools. An equity payment of up to $125 is also provided in the budget, so some schools will get a $175 increase.

It appeared had HB 5314 would not pass, with many Democrats abstaining and 13 Republicans voting no. When the presiding officer called for votes many voted in support. But in the end, 13 Democrats voted for the bill.

The Republicans who voted no on the bill are: Rep. Hugh Crawford of Novi, Rep. Jeff Farrington of Utica, Rep. Bob Genetski II of Saugatuck, Rep. Joseph Graves of Linden, Rep. Gail Haines of Lake Angelus, Rep. Kurt Heise of Plymouth Township, Rep. Tom Hooker of Byron Center, Rep. Martin Howrylak of Troy, Rep. Klint Kesto of Commerce Township, Rep. Mike McCready of Bloomfield Hills, Rep. Margaret O’Brien of Portage, Rep. Tom McMillin of Rochester Hills and Rep. Pat Somerville of New Boston.

The Democrats who voted yes on the bill are: Rep. Theresa Abed of Grand Ledge, Rep. Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids, Rep. Terry Brown of Pigeon, Rep. Charles Brunner of Bay City, Rep. Tom Cochran of Mason, Rep. Scott Dianda of Calumet, Rep. Pam Faris of Clio, Rep. John Kivela of Marquette, Rep. Robert Kosowski of Westland, Rep. Collene Lamonte of Montague, Rep. David Nathan of Detroit, Rep. Paul Clemente of Lincoln Park and Rep. Henry Yanez of Sterling Heights.

Rep. John Olumba (I-Detroit) also voted yes on the bill (subscribers please note: A News Update sent Wednesday evening contained the incorrect number of Democrats voting yes).

Following the House vote, most House Democrats quickly departed the chamber quickly. Gongwer News Service sought to interview two Democratic representatives who voted yes. They had brief discussions with House Democratic spokesperson Katie Carey and then left before commenting on why they voted yes on the bill.

Carey said many of the Democrats who voted yes would get the full $175 foundation allowance increase.

Rep. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) said something went south with negotiations. He said the higher minimum foundation allowance in the budgets recommended by Mr. Snyder and passed by the Senate and House originally were better than the $50.

Singh said he wondered where the $50 figure came from. “It didn’t happen in any subcommittee meetings,” he said. “We got rolled. We sent out $72 and now many of our districts are getting $50.”

House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) praised the approved budget in a statement.

“This budget reflects our continuing commitment to responsibly increasing funding and accountability for the education of Michigan’s children at all levels, from kindergarten through college, and in whatever formats work for students and their parents,” he said. “With a record high of more than $12 billion in School Aid Funding for K-12, this budget represents an increase of nearly $1.4 billion in K-12 funding since Republicans were given the opportunity to lead on this and many other issues in the House.”

Bolger also dismissed Democrats’ claims that the Republicans have cut school funding.

“Only with Democrat math can a $1.4 billion increase be called a cut,” he said.

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