- Senate Committee Approves Sinking Funds for School Buses
- Senate K-12 Appropriations Committee Begins Hearings
- Join us for Behind the Scenes at the Capitol
Senate Committee Approves Sinking Funds for School Buses
That day, the Senate Education Committee brought up Senate Bill 63, which would expand the allowable uses for sinking funds to school transportation.
MASB testified in support of the bill (starting at the 3:48 mark), because this is an allowance that our members have wanted for years. The bill was amended in committee to specify that sinking funds could be used for acquisition of student transportation vehicles and the parts, supplies and equipment used to maintain those vehicles.
The bill was reported by a vote of 6-1 with Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Groveland Township) the lone no vote. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Senate K-12 Appropriations Committee Begins Hearings
On Tuesday morning, the Senate K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee began hearings on the 2023-2024 budget. This hearing included an overview of the Governor’s proposal by the State Budget Office. It also included a presentation by State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice on the Department of Education’s budget and legislative priorities for this session.
The House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee was going to hold a similar hearing this week, but due to the ice storm that hit Lansing and other parts of the state, the Legislature canceled all meetings and sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. We expect the House K-12 committee to begin hearings next week.
Join Us for Behind the Scenes at the Capitol
MASB will hold its spring Behind the Scenes at the Capitol event on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in the Anderson House Office Building from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to come to Lansing and hear from legislators and budget experts who will provide a timely status summary. It also allows for networking between districts to learn from one another.
Lastly, this event is a chance to speak with your legislators and their staff, face-to-face, about issues affecting your district.