Representative Markkanen announces a 2.4 billion dollar higher education budget plan.
At a recent House Higher Education and Community Colleges budget committee meeting, Representative Greg Markkanen introduced his plan to improve higher education in Michigan. The proposal includes a 5,500 dollar scholarship for Michigan high school graduates choosing to attend public or private institutions in the state.
The proposal also maintains university operation funding with a 1.68 billion dollar allocation. Markkanen’s plan would correct recent higher education allocations sent to MSU and U of M, spreading out the state’s contribution to university operations. Representative Markkanen noted both, MSU and U of M, receive funding that supports operations from sources such as endowments.
Another goal of the representative’s proposal would eliminate Diversity, equity, and inclusion, policies at Michigan colleges and universities. The plan would withhold funding from a school found to have DEI policies, until compliant with state standards.
Representative Markkanen says President Trump is doing important work at the federal level, and he wants to make sure Michigan expands on those efforts.
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Rep. Markkanen spearheads House plan for statewide scholarships, DEI cuts, and fair university funding
Budget includes $5,500 annual scholarships for Michigan graduates attending in-state universities
State Rep. Greg Markkanen, chair of the House Higher Education and Community Colleges budget committee, on Wednesday announced his $2.4 billion budget plan for Michigan’s higher education system. The House Higher Education Budget proposal includes a $5,500 per year scholarship for all Michigan high school graduates if they choose to attend a Michigan public or private university.
“Money shouldn’t be a barrier for any Michigan high school graduate seeking a quality higher education in their home state,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock. “We want our talented high school graduates to bring their skills to our colleges and universities. We want them to fill our talent gaps in the workforce. Most of all, we want them laying down roots here – raising families, buying homes, and giving back to our communities.”
The House budget does not change the amount of funding for university operations – $1.68 billion – but finally corrects the imbalance of state funding poured into Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Michigan (U-M). The proposal reduces funding to MSU by nearly $62 million and U-M by more than $239 million, instead opting to increase funding for the state’s 13 other universities.
“Michigan’s largest universities have been getting way more than their fair share for far too long,” Markkanen said. “Our plan sets things right by trimming the fat off MSU and U of M and distributing that funding amongst our 13 other remarkable universities.”
The House budget recommends universities receive funding on a per-pupil basis, receiving $5,500 for each full-time resident undergraduate student enrolled in 2024.
Markkanen noted that MSU receives additional appropriations for the MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension, and U-M receives nearly a half billion dollars annually from endowment distributions.
The budget would also establish the Campus Investment Fund, which would allocate funding for various infrastructure projects and improvements based on the number of full-time resident students. The amount of Campus Investment Funds a university can receive would be capped based on the size of a school’s endowment.
The House proposal would also eliminate DEI policies in Michigan universities. If a school is found to have a DEI policy in place, state funding would be withheld until the university becomes compliant with state requirements. The plan also includes requirements keeping men out of women’s sports, putting Michigan in line with Supreme Court decisions banning discrimination in admissions, legal status verification for every student, banning graduations based on race or sex, and a 10% spending cap on university administration.
“President Trump is doing important work at the federal level, and I want to make sure Michigan expands upon those efforts,” Markkanen said. “We’re putting an end to the race-based policies that have hurt our students for years. We’re ensuring every person who attends a higher education institution in Michigan is a legal resident of our country. We’re also limiting the amount that can be spent on overpaid and often ineffective university administration.”
Markkanen also announced his $450 million community college budget plan on Wednesday. The budget, which marks a 1% decrease in spending from last year, expands the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to provide free, universal community college. The proposal includes a $2,750 per year scholarship for a student who graduates from a Michigan high school and attends a Michigan community college full-time. The plan also eliminates DEI policies, withholding funding until colleges comply, and other similar requirements to the higher education plan.
