The Michigan League for Public Policy is warning that recently passed education budget bills may appear to boost funding, but they ultimately fall short.

The league argues the legislation cuts K-through-12 services like school meals, health centers and transportation, while also threatening higher education by reducing support for colleges and limiting access for low-income students. Alexandra Stamm is a policy analyst for the league and says the plan moves Michigan backward by abandoning a fair funding formula.

“Instead of keeping those buckets of money for rural students, transportation, English language learners, etc., this budget really just wipes all of those categoricals and then evenly distributes it across the state,” Stamm said.

The House bills have made it through both the Appropriations Committee and the full House, and are now in the hands of the Senate Appropriations Committee for review.

Stamm says at a time of uncertainty over the federal funding situation, it’s important that Michigan invest in its schools with an eye on equity.