How would you spend the state surplus?

In recent years, Michigan coffers took in less money than originally anticipated which forced the Legislature to make cuts to vital programs and services during the middle of the year.

Good news for Michigan, this year the Revenue Estimating Conference showed the state has a surplus of roughly $416 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. With more money available, Legislators will have an opportunity to increase spending on areas they feel are important, if they choose.

Knowing early childhood issues are important to you, we’ve put together this quick game to give you the chance to answer the question...
"How would you spend the state surplus?"

HOW TO PLAY:
Let's find out how early childhood advocates would spend the surplus! Simply read through the list below and select how you would spend $416 million.

Each category has several levels of funding to choose from.
The estimated dollar amount to cover your selection is shown in brackets at the end of each description (ex. [$100 million]).
The red box at the top will help guide you but don't go over $416 million, good luck!

*All dollar amounts for programs and services are estimated and not exact.

Great Start Readiness Program:

Expand the Great Start Readiness Program to include ALL remaining eligible 4 year olds with 20% of the new funds set aside for 0-3 programs. [$130 million]

Expand the Great Start Readiness Program to include HALF of all remaining eligible 4 year olds with 20% of the new funds set aside for 0-3 programs. [$65 million]

Return this category to 0. [$0 million]

Early Learning and Development:

Increase the child care subsidy rate by ONE DOLLAR per hour. [$75 million]

Increase the child care subsidy rate by FIFTY CENTS per hour. [$38 million]

Increase the child care subsidy rate by TWENTY-FIVE CENTS per hour. [$19 million]

Return this category to 0. [$0 million]

Quality Rating and Improvement System:

Invest to FULLY implement the Great Start to Quality System which will allow support for ALL early learning and development programs and ALL early childhood educators. [$36 million]

Invest to PARTIALLY implement the Great Start to Quality System which will allow support for early learning and development programs and early childhood educators serving children with high needs. [$18 million]

Return this category to 0. [$0 million]

Health:

Use ALL surplus dollars to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians caring for or seeing children on Medicaid. [$416 million]

Use HALF of the surplus dollars to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians caring for or seeing children on Medicaid. [$208 million]

Use TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the surplus dollars to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians caring for or seeing children on Medicaid. [$104 million]

Use TEN PERCENT of the surplus dollars to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians caring for or seeing children on Medicaid. [$42 million]

Return this category to 0. [$0 million]

Reimbursement rates for physicians caring for or seeing children on Medicaid have been cut which has resulted in fewer physicians able or willing to see Medicaid patients.

Education :

Increase the foundation allowance for k-12 students. Use ALL surplus dollars which would provide an additional $250 per pupil. [$416 million]

Increase the foundation allowance for k-12 students. Use HALF of the surplus dollars to provide an additional $125 per pupil. [$208 million]

Increase the foundation allowance for k-12 students. Use TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the surplus dollars to provide approximately $63 more per pupil. [$104 million]

Increase the foundation allowance for k-12 students. Use TEN PERCENT of the surplus dollars to provide approximately $25 more per pupil. [$42 million]

Return this category to 0. [$0 million]

Higher Education :

Increase funding for the state’s public universities and community colleges. Use ALL surplus dollars to increase funding for the state’s public universities and community colleges which would result in a 104% increase. [$416 million]

Use HALF of the surplus dollars to increase funding for the state’s public universities and community colleges which would result in a 52% increase. [$208 million]

Use TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the surplus dollars to increase funding for the state’s public universities and community colleges which would result in a 26% increase. [$104 million]

Use TEN of the surplus dollars to increase funding for the state’s public universities and community colleges which would result in a 10% increase. [$42 million]

Return this category to 0. [$0 million]

Rainy Day Fund:

Save ALL surplus money for the state's “rainy day fund.” Money to be used in the event revenues decline in later years. [$416 million]

Save HALF of the surplus money for the state's “rainy day fund.” Money to be used in the event revenues decline in later years. [$208 million]

Save TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the surplus money for the state's “rainy day fund.” Money to be used in the event revenues decline in later years. [$104 million]

Save TEN PERCENT of the surplus money for the state's “rainy day fund.” Money to be used in the event revenues decline in later years. [$42 million]

Return this category to 0. [$0 million]

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How would you spend the state surplus?

Policy-Legislation