State Budget Bill Passes
NMU would receive an increase of 6.1 percent, or $2.5 million, in its state appropriation under the omnibus budget bill approved by Michigan lawmakers Wednesday. The package is awaiting Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature.
To receive the full amount based on the performance funding formula, universities must keep tuition increases at or below 3.2 percent. NMU fulfilled that requirement with today’s board-approved tuition and fees schedule (see related story). Northern currently receives $41.7 million in operations funding from the state.
“We thank the administration for this reinvestment in higher education in Michigan,” said NMU President David Haynes. “We also appreciate the support of all four Upper Peninsula legislators who voted in favor of the bill.”
The education budget for K-12 schools, community colleges and universities passed by a close margin in both the House (60-50) and Senate (21-17), according to Gongwer news service.