The Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate, a growing alliance of taxpayers, local governments, and law enforcement officials, today called upon Governor Granholm and the State Legislature to oppose a proposal that would provide automatic, guaranteed annual increases in education funding.

"Education is a critical component to a well-functioning society and a prosperous economy. Unfortunately, this proposal circumvents the state budget appropriations process and removes a large sum of public money from annual financial oversight ... resulting in no accountability to Michigan citizens," said Jim Barrett, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the coalition.

The K-16 education funding proposal calls for, among other things, annual increases in K-12, community college, and state university spending by the rate of inflation. Proponents of the guaranteed increases have collected enough signatures to have the State Legislature vote on the issue and place the proposal on the November ballot, if necessary.

"Decisions about state spending should be based on results, not guarantees," Barrett added. "This proposal sets a very bad precedent for allowing special-interest groups to have guaranteed funding no matter what it means to other critical services or taxpayers' wallets."

The non-partisan House Fiscal Agency has estimated the proposal would cost state government approximately $1.1 billion more per year over current education spending. Nowhere in the lengthy wording of the petition is any reference to education quality, student achievement, test scores, or graduation rates.

"The Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate supports adequate funding for Michigan's K-12, community colleges, and state universities," said Jerry Peterson, President of the Michigan Association of Counties. "However, if this proposal is adopted, public safety, local public health funding, and child support enforcement will be only a few of the key services which will be compromised."

"This proposal will also make it difficult for the Governor and Legislature to honor their commitment to counties to restore our revenue sharing dollars, further exacerbating cuts to these mandated and necessary services," Peterson added.

"Tomorrow, the State Legislature will receive Governor Granholm's proposed 2006-2007 fiscal year budget message," noted Barrett. "We encourage them to say 'No' to the K-16 funding mandate, then make state spending decisions based on priorities, results and available revenue."

Members of the Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate (as of 2/7/06) include:

  Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce     Michigan Restaurant Association
  Jared Rodriguez, (616) 771-0359           Andy Deloney, (517) 377-3931

  Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police  Michigan Soft Drink Association
  Chief Ervin Portis, President             Bill Lobenherz, (517) 371-4499
  (517) 788-4127

  Michigan Association of Counties          Michigan Townships Association
  Tom Hickson, (517) 372-5374               David Bertram, (517) 321-6467

  Michigan Association of Home Builders     Police Officers Association of
  Dawn Crandall, (517) 322-0224             Michigan
                                            Ken Grabowksi, (313) 937-9000

  Michigan Association of REALTORS®       Small Business Association of
  Bill Martin, (517) 372-8890               Michigan
                                            Rob Fowler, (517) 482-8788

  Michigan Chamber of Commerce              Michigan Osteopathic Association
  Tricia Kinley, (517) 371-7669             Doug Borruso, (517) 347-1555

  Michigan Municipal League
  Arnold Weinfeld, (517) 485-1314

Paid for by the Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate with regulated funds. 600 S. Walnut, Lansing, MI 48933

SOURCE: Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate

CONTACT: Tricia Kinley of Michigan Chamber of Commerce, +1-517-371-2100

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/