MSU is encouraged and very appreciative of the governor's proposal to increase overall funding for higher education by more than 4 percent, especially given other budgetary constraints.

While higher education took a significant cut at the beginning of the Snyder administration because of the severe budget crisis facing the state, the governor since has been working to restore that funding. This proposal returns us to 2011 funding levels and is moving in the right direction of reinvestment. An educated work force is absolutely crucial to the state's economic recovery.

We look forward to working with the governor, lawmakers and key leaders from across the state as the higher education budget process moves forward.

-President Lou Anna K. Simon