UPDATE: Medicaid Expansion in Michigan: Quick Facts on What It Means for Children, Youth and Families (05/21/2013)

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder made a huge step in a healthier direction for the state when he proposed to expand Medicaid access to Michigan residents by taking advantage of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Though this expansion specifically covers adults in Michigan, it has significant implications for children and families in Michigan and the well-being of Michigan's lowest-income families.  Learn more about Medicaid expansion, how it will help children and families, and what the current proposal being debated is in our latest Budget Basics fact sheet.

FY2014 Investments in Early Childhood in Michigan: Points of Difference to be Negotiated in Conference Committee (5/17/2013)

The House and Senate have approved all of their budget bills for fiscal year 2014.  As anticipated, the House rolled up all of its budget bills into two omnibus bills – one for Education (HB 4228) and one for the department budgets (HB 4328).  The Senate kept each budget bill separately.  The House and Senate both included several amendments pertaining to young children coming out of subcommittees, so the final House and Senate approved budget bills are highlighted in this publication including differences that will be negotiated in conference committees like support for the Great Start Readiness Program, infant mortality, and lead abatement.

FY2014 Investments in Youth in Michigan: Points of Difference to be Negotiated in Conference Committee (5/17/2013)

The House and Senate have approved all of their budget bills for fiscal year 2014.  As anticipated, the House rolled up all of its budget bills into two omnibus bills – one for Education (HB 4228) and one for the department budgets (HB 4328).  The Senate kept each budget bill separately.  The House and Senate both included several amendments pertaining to youth coming out of subcommittees, so the final House and Senate approved budget bills are highlighted in this publication including differences that will be negotiated in conference committees like support for online learning, mental health supports for youth, and school-community partnerships.

The Fiscal Year 2014 Budget: How the Different Proposals Impact Equity to Ensure All Children Are Ready to Learn & Lead (Update: 5/17/2013)

The single best predictor of economic prosperity is a state’s success in educating and preparing its workforce.  As Michigan becomes more diverse, funding decisions that do not explicitly address underlying inequities in resource and opportunity will lead to longer-term fiscal hardships for all Michigan residents.  The Governor, House, and Senate have proposed some differences in their budgets for fiscal year 2014 that will have varying impacts on reducing disparities in child and family outcomes.  This publication provides Michigan’s Children’s analysis of how their differing proposals will impact equity.

House & Senate Appropriations Subcommittees Pass Fiscal Year 2014 Budgets: What It Means for Youth in Michigan (4/16/2013)

In March and early April, the House and Senate Subcommittees approved their budgets for fiscal year 2014.  The Subcommittees made some changes from the Governor's budget proposal, including a rejection of Medicaid Expansion for adults with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, as well as making changes to online learning opportunities, the K-12 foundation allowance, best practices incentives, and juvenile justice facilities.  The House Appropriations Committee adopted all of the budget bills as approved by the Subcommittees with no amendments to the budget.  The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to take up the budget bills the week of April 15, 2013.

House & Senate Appropriations Subcommittees Pass Fiscal Year 2014 Budgets: What It Means for Young Children and Their Families in Michigan (4/15/2013)

In March and early April, the House and Senate Subcommittees approved their budgets for fiscal year 2014.  The Subcommittees made some changes from the Governor's budget proposal, including a rejection of Medicaid Expansion for adults with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, as well as some policy and funding changes to the Great Start Readiness Preschool Program.  The House Appropriations Committee adopted all of the budget bills as approved by the Subcommittees with no amendments to the budget.  The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to take up the budget bills the week of April 15, 2013.

Medicaid Expansion in Michigan: Quick Facts on What It Means for Children, Youth and Families (04/2013)

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder made a huge step in a healthier direction for the state when he proposed to expand Medicaid access to Michigan residents by taking advantage of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Though this expansion specifically covers adults in Michigan, it has huge implications for children and families in Michigan and the well-being of Michigan's lowest-income families.  Learn more about Medicaid expansion, how it will help children and families, and what's currently at stake in our latest Budget Basics fact sheet.

The Governor’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget: Is It Promoting Equity to Ensure All Children Are Ready to Learn & Lead? (2/25/2013)

The single best predictor of economic prosperity is a state’s success in educating and preparing its workforce. As Michigan becomes more diverse, funding decisions that do not explicitly address underlying inequities in resource and opportunity will lead to longer-term fiscal hardships for all Michigan residents. Gaps in opportunity caused by Michigan’s profound economic hardships, coupled with structural barriers by race or ethnicity, contribute to gaps in achievement throughout a student’s educational career. These long-term disparities in educational and life success have had profound and unacceptable economic, social and fiscal consequences for Michigan.

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget: What the Governor is Proposing for Youth in Michigan (2/12/2013)

On Thursday, February 7, 2013, Governor Snyder released his proposed state budget for fiscal year 2014 (FY2014).  The Governor presented two budget bills to the Legislature, including an education bill that proposes funding for local and intermediate school districts, community colleges and higher education, and an omnibus bill that covers all state departments and services.  Changes in funding that will impact youth include an equity payment for districts to bring the minimum foundation allowance up to $7,000 per pupil, a reduction to the best practices grant, a new Digital Learning Innovation to expand blended and online learning to students, a new competitive Student-Centric learning grant, and new investment to the Pathways to Potential program.

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget: What the Governor is Proposing for Early Childhood in Michigan (2/8/2013)

Yesterday, Governor Snyder unveiled his budget proposal for fiscal year 2014 (FY2014) before a joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee.  As anticipated, Governor Snyder's FY2014 budget, which begins October 1 of this year and ends September 30, 2014, includes significant investments for Michigan's Great Start Readiness preschool program (GSRP).  Specifically, the Governor calls for a $130 million increase for GSRP over the next two years, starting with a $65 million increase for FY2014 that would not only increase access to the program for an additional 16,000 eligible but unenrolled four-year olds, but would also provide an increase in the slot amount from $3,400 to $3,625 per child.  Some changes are also made to the Office of Great Start, Healthy Kids Dental is expanded to include three more counties, and Medicaid and mental health coverage is expanded.

The Budget Process in Michigan: Opportunities to Advocate for Children & Families (2/2013)

The annual budget is the single most powerful expression of the state’s priorities.  Michigan's decision-makers need to prioritize budget investments that improve outcomes for all children by closing the equity gaps that begin early and accumulate over a lifetime.  Unfortunately, it has been difficult for many parents, teachers, community leaders and child advocates to become involved in the budget making process, particularly for those most likely to be impacted by decisions that may affect inequities. A major barrier is that the budget process is too unfamiliar to many, and budget bills often move quickly through legislative committees.  This overview tells you what you need to know about the state budget process so that you can get involved in budget advocacy.

Federal Deficit Reduction Efforts Must Prioritize Michigan Children (1/2013)

The federal budget is the single most powerful expression of the federal government’s priorities. It is during the budget process that decisions are made about the expenditure of federal revenues, and there are many competing interests that the President and Congress must consider when dividing up tax dollars. With finite resources, changes in tax policies and in the appropriation of revenues can benefit groups of U.S. and Michigan residents, while leaving others behind. Of particular concern is the potential impact on the children and families that outcome data show are already facing challenges, including a lack of access to education and care in early childhood, health care throughout their lives, and opportunities for education and career success.

On June 26, 2012, Governor Snyder signed the budget bills into law. The 2013 fiscal year begins October 1, 2012 and ends September 30, 2013. As anticipated, the final budgets were in the form of two omnibus bills – one for Education (PA 201) including School Aid, Community Colleges, and Higher Education; and another (PA 200) for all of the department budgets. The Governor vetoed several items in PA 200, including $1 million for before and after school programming and a $3 million increase for 0-3 prevention programs.  The Governor maintained the $5 million increase for the Great Start Readiness Program.

Three new Budget Basics publications look specifically at what happened in the fiscal year 2013 budget as it pertains to early childhood funding, funding for youth programming, and how the FY2013 budget will help to reduce or increase racial, ethnic and economic disparities in child outcomes.

The Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget:
What it Means for Early Childhood in Michigan
The Impact on Youth
Is it Promoting Equity to Ensure All Children Are Ready to Learn & Lead?

The Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget: The Impact of Current Decisions on Youth – Which Decisions Have Been Made, and Which Remain In Play (5/3/2012)

The last week of April, the House and Senate approved all of their budget bills for fiscal year 2013. As anticipated, the House rolled up all of its budget bills into two omnibus bills – one for Education (HB 5372) including School Aid, Community Colleges, and Higher Education; and the department budgets into another omnibus budget bill (HB 5365). The Senate kept each budget bill separately. Differences between the final House and Senate budget bills will be negotiated in conference committees – our latest Budget Basics report highlights differences up for negotiation as they pertain to youth.

Fiscal Year 2013 Budgets Pass House and Senate (5/2/2012)

See updated Budget Basics publications on the Department of Community Health budget, the Department of Human Services budget, and the Education budgets as passed in the last week of April in both the House and Senate.  As anticipated, the House rolled up all of its budget bills into two omnibus bills – one for Education (HB 5372) including School Aid, Community Colleges, and Higher Education; and the department budgets into another omnibus budget bill (HB 5365). The Senate kept each budget bill separately.  Points of difference between the House and Senate budgets will now be debated in conference committee.

• Department of Community Health Budget Update
• Department of Human Services Budget Update
• Education Budget Update

Fiscal Year 2013 Investments in Early Childhood in Michigan: Points of Difference to be Negotiated in Conference Committee (4/27/2012)

The last week of April, the House and Senate approved all of their budget bills for fiscal year (FY) 2013. As anticipated, the House rolled up all of its budget bills into two omnibus bills – one for Education (HB 5372) including School Aid, Community Colleges, and Higher Education; and the department budgets into another omnibus budget bill (HB 5365). The Senate kept each budget bill separately and incorporated many amendments at the Committee level and full Senate level pertaining to early childhood. The final House and Senate budget bills are highlighted in our latest Budget Basics report including differences that will negotiated in conference committees.

Investments in Early Childhood in Michigan -- Fiscal Year 2013 Highlights (4/13/2012)

This Budget Basics report provides background information on early childhood programming in Michigan, funding trends, and the fiscal year 2013 budget proposals as passed out of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on key budget areas that affect young children in Michigan.

Appropriations Subcommittees Pass FY13 Education Budgets -- April Update (4/4/2012)

This update of the Appropriations Subcommittees FY13 budgets includes Community Colleges and Higher Education.  The Senate and House Subcommittees FY13 Community College and Higher Education budget recommendations basically concur with the Governor’s funding levels for FY13. However, the Senate replaces $96.5 million in GF with School Aid funding for Community Colleges, resulting in all FY13 funding for Community Colleges coming from the School Aid Fund. The House Higher Education funding recommendation is $500,000 under the Governor’s total recommendation and $2.3 million under the state general fund recommendation through a program shift to the Treasury Department and increased reliance on federal TANF funds for financial aid programs.

Appropriations Subcommittees for the Department of Community Health Approve FY13 Budgets (4/4/2012)

On March 27, 2012, the House Appropriations Subcommittee for the Department of Community Health (DCH) approved its version of the fiscal year 2013 (FY2013) budget for the DCH. The budget includes $15.02 billion in total spending and restores community mental health services for special populations, rejects the Governor’s Wellness 4x4 Initiative and instead funds a before- and after-school physical health pilot program, and directs some federal dollars towards home visitation.  On March 29, 2012, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee finalized its fiscal year 2013 budget for the DCH and totals $15.04 billion in spending.  The Senate Subcommittee budget creates $100 placeholders for Medicaid, MIChild, and CSHCS to cover treatment for autism spectrum disorders; creates a $100 placeholder for the Healthy Kids Dental expansion; and creates a $100 placeholder for the Governor’s obesity and health promotion initiative.

Appropriations Subcommittees Pass Department of Human Services FY13 Budgets (4/4/2012)

On March 27, 2012, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for the Department of Human Services (DHS) approved its version of the fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget for DHS (SB 956). The Senate Subcommittee’s $6.55 billion budget ($991 million state general fund) includes boilerplate language directing DHS to operate a pilot program in Kent County to privatize some child welfare services and includes the Governor’s recommended Supported Visitation program and Parent Partners program.  On March 28, 2012, the House Appropriations Committee approved its version of the FY13 budget (HB 5374). The House Committee’s budget totals $6.53 billion and reinstates $5 million for before- or after-school funding.

Earlier this week, the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees for School Aid and the Michigan Department of Education passed their budget bills for fiscal year 2013 (FY13).  The House Appropriations Subcommittee FY13 budget differs from the Governor's budget in several key areas including funding for best practices grants and criteria, and the creation of a technology infrastructure grant.  The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee FY13 budget differs in areas such as the per pupil foundation allowance, implementation of an early childhood block grant, and pupil performance grants.  See details on the subcommittees' FY13 budgets in our latest Budget Basics report.

The Governor's Proposed Fiscal Year 2013 Budget: Is It Promoting Equity to Ensure All Children Are Ready to Learn and Lead? (2/24/12)

Governor Snyder Releases Fiscal Year 2013 Budget: A First Look at Provisions Affecting Children and Youths (2/10/12)

On Thursday February 9th, Governor Snyder presented his Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal to the Legislature. Fiscal year 2013 begins October 1, 2012 and ends September 30, 2013.  Michigan's Children has taken a quick look at how the proposal will impact children and youth in Michigan.

Federal Investments Critical to Michigan Children and Families (9/7/11)

Michigan children and families have been hard hit by the recession as the number of children living in poverty continues to grow, with children of color more likely to be living in deep poverty. The percent of children living in Michigan families with earnings less than the federal poverty level increased by 64 percent between 2000 and 2009, with nearly one out of four Michigan children living in poverty. This increase in child poverty was fully three times the national average.

Investments in Early Childhood in Michigan: A Summary of Programs and Funding Trends

Read these Budget Basics reports that provide an overview of early childhood programs and funding trends, including highlights from the fiscal year 2012 budget that was signed into law by Governor Snyder on June 21, 2011.

• Early Care & Learning
• Family Income & Supports
• Health & Mental Health

Governor Snyder Signs Two Budget Bills into Law

On May 26th, 2011, the Legislature finalized the state budget for fiscal year 2012 after a speedy conference committee process. The final budget comes in the form of two omnibus budget bills – one for K-12 School Aid, Community Colleges and Higher Education (HB 4325) and one for all of the other departments (HB 4526). On June 21st, the Governor signed both bills into law with no vetoes in education budgets and limited vetoes in the other omnibus bill. However, the Governor made clear that much of the legislative intent that is included in budget bills as boilerplate language was not binding to the administration under the Constitution.

Read the Budget Basics reports for the state departments that affect children, youth and families.

• Final FY12 Department of Community Health Budget
• Final FY12 Department of Human Services Budget
• Final FY12 Education Budgets
• Final FY12 Budget: The Impact of Current Decisions on Youth

Department of Community Health Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Finalized (5/31/11)

On May 26th, 2011, the Legislature finalized the state budget for fiscal year 2012 after a speedy conference committee process.  The final budget comes in the form of two omnibus budget bills – one for K-12 School Aid, Community Colleges and Higher Education (HB 4325) and one for all of the other departments (HB 4526) – and now await Governor Snyder’s signature.  The Department of Community Health (DCH) budget is included in HB 4526 and totals $14.2 billion, including $2.8 billion in state funds.  This represents a total increase of approximately $117 million or less than 1 percent over current year spending, and exceeds the Governor’s recommended budget by $333 million.  Read this Budget Basics report for more details on the DCH budget for FY12.

Department of Human Services FY12 Budget Awaits Snyder's Signature (5/31/11)

On May 26th, 2011, the Legislature finalized the state budget for fiscal year 2012 after a speedy conference committee process.  The Department of Human Services (DHS) budget totals $6.83 billion, of which $1.07 billion is from the state’s general fund (GF).  The budget includes a stricter 48-month lifetime limit for Family Independence Program (FIP) recipients, elimination of the annual clothing allowance for most children in FIP, as well as a $1.9 million cut to the ECIC for child care quality improvements.  The budget also includes significant increases in child welfare staffing related to implementation of the Children’s Rights lawsuit and settlement.  Read this Budget Basics report for more details on the DHS budget for FY12.

Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2012 Finished by the Legislature (5/31/11)

On May 26th, 2011, the Legislature finalized the state budget for fiscal year 2012 after a speedy conference committee process.  The K-12 School Aid budget totals $12.7 billion – $10.9 billion from the School Aid Fund, $1.7 billion from federal revenues and $119 million from the general fund.  The K-12 School Aid budget includes deep cuts to per pupil foundation allowances, cuts in many categorical programs that target special needs areas, and an increase in the Great Start Readiness Program. Read this Budget Basics report for more details on the final K-12 School Aid budget for FY12.

Fiscal Year 2012 State Budget: The Impact of Current Recommendations on Youth (5/10/11)

FY12 budget conversations follow a decade of disinvestment in programs for children, youth and families throughout the public sector, mitigated temporarily by an influx of federal economic stimulus dollars.  Proposals from the Governor, House and Senate each include large cuts for schools, after-school programs and other supports for young people.  Read our latest Budget Basics report on the status of budget conversations and how they will impact young people in Michigan.

K-12 School Aid Budgets for Fiscal Year 2012 Move to Conference Committee (5/6/11)

Read this overview of the School Aid budget for fiscal year 2012 as passed by the House and the Senate. Both budget bills include deep cuts to the per pupil foundation allowance, complete elimination or reduction of many categorical programs, and cuts to Intermediate School Districts. The good news in the School Aid budget is the Senate passed budget bill includes a $6 million increase to the Great Start Readiness Program - Michigan's preschool program for at-risk four-year-olds.

Read our latest Budget Basics report on the School Aid budgets as passed by the House and Senate and how it will impact Governor Snyder's Dashboard indicators.

Investments in Early Childhood in Michigan: Fiscal Year 2012 Highlights (4/27/2011)

Read this overview of the early childhood provisions of the state budget as recommended by Governor Snyder, as passed by the Senate, and as passed by the House Appropriations Committee for fiscal year 2012.  Early childhood provisions at-risk include the Healthy Michigan Fund, child care subsidies for unlicensed relatives and aides, and family preservation programs.  For a detailed report on the budget and how it will impact Michigan's youngest citizens, read this Budget Basics report.

Department of Human Services Fiscal Year 2012 Budgets Move Forward (4/22/2011)

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the House Appropriations Subcommittee for the Department of Human Services (DHS) approved its version of the fiscal year 2012 budget for DHS. The House Subcommittee's $6.86 billion budget ($1.07 billion state general fund) for FY12 includes an additional $30 million reduction to general fund (GF) spending below the Governor's recommendation.  The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version of the FY12 DHS budget on April 21, 2011.  The Senate Committee's budget totals $6.7 billion, $152 million below the Governor's recommendation of which $114 million is from the general fund.  Read this Budget Basics report on how the two budgets will impact children, youth and families.

Appropriations Subcommittees for the Department of Community Health Approve Fiscal Year 2012 Budgets (4/15/2011)

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for the Department of Community Health (DCH) approved its version of the fiscal year 2012 budget for the DCH.  The budget approved by the Senate Subcommittee included $13.83 billion in total spending, including $2.64 billion in state general funds.  The following day, the House Appropriations Subcommittee finalized its fiscal year 2012 budget for the DCH.  The budget approved by the House Subcommittee included $13.92 billion in total spending, including $2.68 in state general funds.  Read this Budget Basics report on how the two budgets will impact children, youth and families.

Michigan’s Governor and Legislature face extraordinary challenges as they attempt to address Michigan’s economic and fiscal problems. As the rest of the country begins to emerge from a deep recession, Michigan continues to struggle with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and a projected budget deficit in fiscal year 2012 of approximately $1.8 billion, with no expectation of significant new federal dollars to help balance the budget.

On March 23, 2011, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 School Aid met to take public testimony on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (fiscal year 2012).  Senator Howard Walker, the Chair of the Subcommittee, presented his draft recommendations for fiscal year 2012.