LANSING – State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education provided her recommendation for Fiscal Year 2009-10 Higher Education budget.
"We had the difficult task of putting together our recommendation for a budget that supports higher education while being fiscally responsible," Bauer said. "This process has been difficult but I believe we can come to an agreement for what is best for our state during these tough economic times."
Over the past several weeks, Bauer held seven budget hearings at colleges and universities throughout the state. The committee heard from all 15 public universities, representatives from Michigan's 49 private and independent colleges and listened to testimony regarding financial aid.
The Higher Education Subcommittee approved the budget recommendations, which will now be sent to the full House Appropriations for further action. Bauer announced that there was broad consensus from the committee to restore funding for the King/Chevaz/Parks program, Michigan State University Agricultural Experimental Station, and for state financial aid.
"Even in difficult economic times, it is important that we continue to invest in our students," Bauer said. "I am particularly pleased that we were able to restore funding for the MSU Agricultural Experimental Station, helps Michigan stay on the cutting edge of our second largest industry –agriculture."