Michigan's Budget Battle Hits Education

Michigan has been big in the news lately and all of it leaves a black eye on the state. Michigan's budget battle is putting a big hurt on the already struggling educational system. What is going to happen to the quality of our children's education and future?

In latest reports many school districts are already facing money shortages due to the decline in student enrollment. So many families have been driven out of state in search of jobs. When jobs go, students follow. State aid is based largely on enrollment with each student worth at about $7500.

Now the state is threatening a shutdown. This means that the state run lottery will be shutdown as well. The lottery supplies the school system with $2 million a day for K-12. Add this to the loss already in state aid per student and Michigan's educational institutions will be in grave danger.

Is this the price Michigan pays when government gets too big?

Michigan is pushing for its young people to have at minimum a 2 year degree after high school so its young adults can get a job here. How are they to achieve such a status when there basic K-12 education is in jeopardy?

The strength in Michigan's future recovery is dependent on its young people staying here. This will never happen if things continue to run at status quo.

In the event of Michigan's budget not being settled and the state implements a partial shutdown, school districts will have no choice but to shut down. They can not run operations without the state funding. Many smaller rural schools are already close to financial ruin. This definitely could push them over the edge.

It is almost the eleventh hour and no sign of a balanced budget yet.