By Staff
LANSING - The Michigan House Tuesday approved a budget plan that increases per-pupil funding by $175 and better prepares Michigan students to join the emerging high-tech economy by directing millions of dollars of additional funding to middle-schoolers to bolster their math skills.
Rep. Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers, whose district includes part of Cass County, is pleased with the approved plan because it helps balance the state's budget without raising taxes. 
The proposal calls for an additional $175 in per-pupil funding for all students and an extra $10 in per-pupil funding for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.
This is the first foundation allowance increase in three years. 
In addition, the School Aid Fund provides $3.85 million for training for middle school math programs.
House approval included several additional budget plans including House Bill 4831, an omnibus budget and House Bill 4887, the School Aid Fund, addressing funding for seven departments and the K-12 budget.
Highlights of HB 4831 include:
Fully funding the Michigan Merit Award for students attending state universities;
Protecting vision and hearing screening program for preschool and early elementary school children;
 Restoring agriculture extension programs;
Implementing the House proposed higher education funding formula, Workforce Investment Needs (WIN) Plan with the start of the new fiscal year for state universities;
 Funding Newberry Correctional Facility and Camp Manistique;
Protecting Baldwin's Youth Correction Facility by identifying alternative savings in the Department of Corrections; and
Stopping $300 million in tax increases proposed by the Granholm administration.