It’s the first opportunity Democrats have had to craft a budget that reflects their legislative priorities since they took full control of the state government this year for the first time in 40 years. Passing the budget will also act as a bipartisan test for Democrats, who need partial support from Senate Republicans for the budget to take effect in time for next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony, a Lansing Democrat, said Wednesday morning that lawmakers “are still reviewing drafts and making sure that everything that’s been negotiated,” is in the budget. Anthony said she is hopeful about passing the budget Wednesday. Educational performance in Michigan has fallen steadily over the past decade in areas such as reading and mathematics, according to findings from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the “nation’s report card.” The state ranks 43rd in fourth grade reading, according to the report.