June 18, 2009

The Michigan Senate has taken action on the FY 2009-1010 Higher Education Appropriations bill (HB 4441, S-1, Draft B) and will be voting on their version, today, Thursday, June 18, 2009.  The bill indicates a major funding shift for the KCP Program.  GF/GP funding was replaced with federal GEAR UP funding of $2,691,500 for the MICUP, 4S, and MHED lines leaving approximately $308,500 for GEAR UP Program administration.   The fund shift was from a $3 million project GEAR UP line in the Higher Education bill.  See attached KCP analysis for concerns with the Senate version.

The House bill (HB 4441, H-1) retains GF/GP funding for KCP Programs but replaces 3.0% of GF/GP funding for competitive grant line items with funding from General Government Services portion of SFSF under ARRA.  The KCP Initiative supports HB 4441 which retains all six KCP Programs in their current configuration.  See attached House Fiscal Agency Summary of HB 4441 (H-1) as passed by the House.

Once the Senate has passed their version of the Higher Education bill both Senate and House legislative versions and the Governor’s version will be taken to a joint Conference Committee for final decisions.

Contact your local legislator concerning the potential serious impact the Senate version might have upon your institution, KCP Programs and students who are citizens of the State.  The House Appropriation Sub-Committee on Higher Education will meet Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 352 of the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan.  

Rudy Redmond

Manager, KCP Initiative

(517) 373-9700