The Latest: House OKs $39.5 billion general budget plan

LANSING, Mich. – The Latest on the Michigan House’s approval of a state spending plan (all times local):

9:15 p.m.

The Republican-led Michigan House has approved a $39.5 billion general budget that would spend hundreds of millions less than what is being proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The GOP majority says the plan would fund priorities such as roads and public safety and give local governments more in revenue sharing than under Snyder’s plan. It would also add $265 million to savings as requested by the Republican governor.

Democrats say the House plan — approved 60-47 Tuesday night along mostly party lines — too often goes halfway and does not fully fund increases sought by Snyder in areas such as environmental protection and meals for seniors.

The Republican-led Senate plans to approve its spending plan this week. A final budget is not expected to be resolved until early June.

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6:30 p.m.

Base per-student aid would increase by $100 next school year under a $16.3 billion education budget approved by a divided Michigan House.

The Republican-led chamber also voted Tuesday to give schools significantly more funding for low-income kids, as requested by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The House and Senate plan to approve their spending plans this week.

In the House, the minimum foundation grant would rise to $7,611, or 1.3 per cent. The basic level would jump to $8,329, or 1.2 per cent. The Republican governor instead has proposed a $100 boost for the lower-funded schools and a $50 increase for the higher-funded ones — sticking with a formula to reduce the gap in funding across districts.

Lawmakers and Snyder plan to finalize the budget by early June after receiving new tax revenue estimates.