State Postpones School Pro-Ration Order

Citing at least $150 million in unanticipated revenue and savings, Governor Granholm this week delayed the implementation of her pro-ration order cutting $127 per pupil from the state’s School Aid payments to local school districts. While suspending her order that was to have taken effect with the December 21st payment, the Governor also warned that a pro-ration reduction would still be likely, albeit hopefully not as large as the one initially announced—but, she said, that would likely wait until after the January Revenue Conference.

She also said her Administration had discussed whether the pro-ration order should proceed knowing an order will ultimately be required, but that option was rejected in light of the fiscal struggles currently facing local school districts—especially after local school officials said they would rather have the money now and deal with a needed cut when it was necessary. As expected, Republicanlegislators immediately assailed the Governor’s announcement as her acknowledgement that her effort to raise state revenue through tax increases by using children to formulate public opinion had failed. That realization, GOP leaders said, would hopefully lead to meaningful discussions on how to reform and reduce the size and cost of government.