School and Health Aid cuts approved by Senate

The Senate, with mostly Republican votes, approved a $12.6 billion school funding plan that would reduce basic state aid to all school districts by $118 per pupil. But the Senate plan assumes $480 million in savings for schools by forcing tens of thousands of teachers into retirement, and requiring those still working to pay 3% more of their salaries toward their retirements.

Also, those that don’t retire under the incentive plan would lose their future dental and vision benefits when they retire at a later date.

The Senate also voted to cut $107 million from the Department of Community Health next year. That would cut Medicaid payments to physicians by 4% and drop 18- and 19-year-olds from Medicaid coverage.

Detroit Free Press
By CHRIS CHRISTOFF