Senate Bill 848, Appropriations, “Omnibus” budget: Passed 33 to 2 in the Senate

The “omnibus” non-education state government budget for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2018. This authorizes $39.937 billion in spending, up from $38.786 billion authorized the year before. Of this amount, $20.847 billion is federal money, and $19.091 billion comes from state taxpayers. With the separate education budget (House Bill 5579) added, the legislature authorizes spending $56.780 billion next year, up from $53.667 billion this year.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R – Escanaba , Not Voting

Senate Bill 848, Appropriations, “Omnibus” budget: Passed 66 to 43 in the House

The House vote on the state budget described above.

Rep. Beau LaFave , R – Iron Mountain, Yes

House Bill 5579, Appropriations, “Omnibus” education budget: Passed 25 to 11 in the Senate

The state education budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct 1, 2018. This appropriates $16.843 billion, including $1.843 billion of federal money. Of this, $14.765 billion goes to K-12 public schools, up from $14.580 billion this year. Another $1.669 billion is for state universities, compared to $1.629 billion this year. Community colleges get $408 million, up from $399 million. The bill increases the basic state “foundation allowance” grants to public schools by $120 per pupil for higher-spending districts, and $240 per pupil for districts that get less funding.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R – Escanaba, Not Voting

House Bill 5579, Appropriations, “Omnibus” education budget: Passed 63 to 46 in the House

The House vote on the education budget described above.

Rep. Beau LaFave, R – Iron Mountain, Yes

Senate Bill 683, Impose full licensure on acupuncturists: Passed 33 to 3 in the Senate

To convert a registration mandate now imposed on acupuncturists into a more comprehensive licensure regime, including training and apprenticeship requirements, license fees, regulations specified in the bill and additional ones that the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs would be authorized to impose, and more.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R – Escanaba, Not Voting

Senate Bill 331, Impose licensure on genetic counselors: Passed 33 to 3 in the Senate

To impose licensure, fees, certification through a nationally recognized agency, and more on “genetic counselors” as they are defined in the bill.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R – Escanaba, Not Voting

Senate Bill 110, Authorize more local developer subsidies: Passed 32 to 4 in the Senate

To authorize local subsidies and other incentives for developers to build housing projects that provide low or moderate cost rental units.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R – Escanaba, Not Voting

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Source: MichiganVotes.org.