Republican Representative Kim LaSata visited the campus of Central Michigan University Friday and made brief comments on her support for higher education funding.
Representative LaSata, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, says she is committed to keeping costs low for students and families.
“The state has to do their part in order to keep tuition down so that it’s affordable. It’s important for all of us to help out our kids in Michigan, whether they decide to go to a University, a community college, or a vocational training. It should be affordable.”
Representative LaSata is a proponent of school choice and has been a strong supporter of a move to give two point five million dollars in public funds to nonpublic schools for reimbursement of mandated health and safety expenses.
Public school advocates say such a move could open the door to send more public funds to private institutions.
LaSata said she believes in some districts school choice could lead to the closure of public schools.
LaSata said as private schools draw students and funding from public schools it could become irresponsible to keep some public schools open.
“There is some point where it’s not going to be fiscally responsible of those schools to remain open because they don’t have the funds to remain open. That’s probably what’s going to happen, whether I want it to happen or not.”
Representative LaSata is also behind a bill headed to the Governor’s desk that she says shortchanges public schools. Her bill would close a tax loophole that allows out of state residents with a home in Michigan to get tax deductions in two states.
The bill passed both the senate and house unanimously and penalizes out of state residents who claim out of state tax deductions in more than one place.
Representative LaSata sponsored the bill. She said the taxes were intended to raise money for schools - so those using the loophole were taking funds directly from education.
“But now they will be fined and all the money that is owed to the state of Michigan will be collected. That money goes directly to our schools, to our public schools, and basically they were robbing us of that money that goes to our kids to get a good education.”
LaSata said she expects the bill will be signed into law soon.