House taps 2010 school stimulus funding

The Michigan House has voted to tap federal stimulus money set aside for next year to soften a cut in school funding now.

By a vote of 74-29, a majority of House members said Thursday the $184 million should be used to help schools avoid all but $10 of a $127 per student cut ordered by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Schools still would see their funding drop by the equivalent of $165 per student.

The bill looks unlikely to pass the Senate. A Senate Republican spokesman says the House instead should use $100 million saved by freezing a tax credit for low-income workers.

The House measure would restore half of the $52 million cut from wealthier school districts.