The General Fund contribution to the School Aid Fund has declined by 92%, resulting in cuts to numerous programs for elementary and high school students.
General fund spending on community health, which includes mental health and substance abuse treatment and services to the aging, has declined by 10%.
Revenue sharing has declined by 32%, causing the layoff of more than 2,000 police and nearly 2,400 firefighters.
Far too often, we don’t treat people with mental illness or substance abuse problems until they have committed a crime. Among Michigan prisoners, 20% are mentally ill and 60% were addicted to drugs.
Despite the need for a well-educated workforce to revitalize its economy, Michigan spends $375 million more on corrections than on colleges and universities.