Governor Signs Budget Without Higher Education Capital Outlay Plans
Governor Rick Snyder today signed into law Michigan’s FY 2012 budget. According to the Detroit Free Press, this is the earliest the budget has been signed since the 1980′s.
The budget was enacted without a provision to finance any new university or community college buildings or renovations. This is too bad since these types of projects have an employment multiplier effect – many architectural, engineering and construction jobs are created when the state funds these types of projects.
If the state’s economy turns around, it is possible the legilature will bring up the idea of a higher education spending bill in the fall. But as of today, architects, engineers and contractors who do business with Michigan’s community colleges and universities cannot count on any new capital outlay projects.
