Editorial

Who fact checks the fact checkers?

‘Truth Squad’ ignores almost half a billion in education funding

A recent “fact check” from the Michigan Truth Squad, a project of the Center for Michigan, takes a look at an ad from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer attacking Gov. Rick Snyder. In its analysis of K-12 state funding, the truth-checkers state, “In his first year in office, Snyder approved a budget that resulted in school funding $930 million lower than the previous year.”

For the Record: The Truth Squad cites a Senate Fiscal Agency report, but they do not include $455.5 million in additional state funding used for “best practices” and retiree benefit costs. That amount is listed in the report cited, but is not mentioned in the write-up. According to the report, including all state funding shows that the amount spent on K-12 education increased by $285 million in Gov. Snyder’s first year.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.