WHEREAS, Since 2002, the state has cut $490 million from K-12 school funding leading some schools to lay off employees, eliminate programs and increase class sizes to make up for the loss of state funding; and

WHEREAS, Contrary to popular belief, the Michigan lottery only accounts for about six percent of school funding in Michigan each year. The majority of school funding (73 percent) comes from revenues generated by the state sales tax; and

WHEREAS, The federal government recently announced that Michigan schools will lose $4 million in federal funding designed to help needy children and families; and

WHEREAS, Michigan's school retirement rate jumped from 12.99 percent to 14.87 percent this year, which equates to about $105 per student in extra costs; and

WHEREAS, According to a national study released in April 2004, unfunded federal mandates, including No Child Left Behind, cost the states more than $29 billion; and

WHEREAS, Michigan's 29 public community colleges lost more than $18 million in state funding in 2003-04; and

WHEREAS, From December 2002 through December 2003, Michigan's 15 public universities lost $240 million in state funding through cuts in appropriations; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two years, Michigan's 15 public universities have cut more than 1,400 full-time staff and have reduced their operating budgets by $160 million, an amount above and beyond the $240 million in reduced state appropriations during the same period; and

WHEREAS, More than 285,000 individuals are attending Michigan's public universities this year alone, marking the eighth straight year of enrollment increases; and

WHEREAS, A report from California's SRI Incorporated examined public higher education in Michigan and found a $26 return for every dollar the state invested; and

WHEREAS, In Michigan, for every dollar the student paid, the state used to pay $3. Today, for every dollar the student pays, the state pays 70 cents; and

WHEREAS, On average, Michigan spends $1,000 less per pupil than any other Great Lakes state. In 2000, per-student spending was $7,002; this year, it is just $5,646; NOW THEREFORE BE IT

Resolved: The Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel will be actively engaged with the K-16 Coalition for Michigan's Future by communicating to state legislators the impact lack of funding is having on our young people, the classrooms, and the community; and BE IT FURTHER

Resolved: That the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel strongly support and work for passage of Senate Bill 246 and House Bill 4582; and BE IT FINALLY

Resolved: The Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel will continue their lobbying efforts in Lansing to assure that the legislature keeps its promise to adequately fund our Pre K-16 public schools.