Education: financing; use of school sinking fund; allow for school transportation.
Mackinac Center Analysis
Amends section 1212 (MCL 380.1212) of the Revised School Code. Section 1212 specifies the purposes for which a sinking fund tax, if approved by voters, may be used. Under current law, depending on the date of authorization, the sinking fund tax may be used for the purchase of real estate for the construction of school buildings, repair of school buildings, improvement of school security, and/or purchase of technology resources and upgrades. As passed by the Senate, in addition to the aforementioned items, SB 63 would allow a sinking fund tax to be used for the purchase of student transportation vehicles, maintenance equipment for those vehicles, trucks and vans under the Michigan Vehicle Code to carry equipment and personnel for the maintenance of school buildings, and maintenance equipment for those trucks and vans. If passed, SB 63 could lead to an increase in sinking fund millage rates and/or the number of districts creating sinking funds.
