Since the “Great Recession,” Michigan’s lawmakers made significant cuts to institutions that are critical to our state’s comeback, including higher education. So when Governor Snyder set his priorities for Michigan’s first budget surplus in nearly a decade, a $90 million increase to the higher education budget came to the top of his budget proposal. This funding would go toward funding the state’s 15 public universities, its community colleges, and toward student financial aid programs. This increase would not resolve the nearly $1 billion of cuts since the 1990s, with an average of 65,000 job openings waiting for someone with the right degree or training, this investment would help make college more accessible while helping employers close that gap.
The increased funding faced an uphill battle from legislators who either wanted to return it as a tax rebate or invest it elsewhere. Truscott Rossman assisted Business Leaders for Michigan with raising awareness and support of increased funding for Michigan’s higher education budget.
We developed a website, www.MakeOpportunityAffordable.com, waged a concerted, statewide earned media campaign, and developed a winning, grassroots strategy that ultimately succeeded in a successful increase to the higher education budget.
