A petition campaign to extend tax credits to help fund private school scholarships turned in almost half a million signatures today.
The next step is for election officials to check and certify the signatures. If that happens, the question goes to the Republican-controlled legislature. GOP state Senator Lana Theiss says approval of a veto-proof initiative is a near-certainty.
"And I think it's imperative that we get opportunities to our children. We need different options," she says.
But Cassandra Ulbrich — a Democrat on the Michigan State Board of Education — says the question should instead go to the ballot.
"Don't just sidestep an actual vote of the people and go ahead and pass something," she says.
A court challenge under the state constitution is also likely if the Legislature adopts the measure.