With payments to private schools included, education budget may be unconstitutional

Governor Rick Snyder has signed an education budget for the coming fiscal year. But there are questions about a provision that will send $2.5 million to private and religious schools for state mandates such as fire drills. The provision could run against a section of the state constitution that says no public money can be used to support private or parochial schools.

Snyder acknowledged there may be legal issues with the budget. “But at this point, I thought it appropriate to move ahead and let’s address the legal questions separately,” Snyder said.

The American Civil Liberties Union could issue a legal challenge.

Michigan Radio reporter Rick Pluta joined us to explain the controversy over Snyder’s budget.