In a split decision that ran along partisan lines, the Michigan Supreme Court upheld a controversial spending bill that reimburses private schools for state mandates, a ruling that deals a blow to the public-school-education establishment.
The 3–3 decision in Council of Organizations and Others for Education About Parochiaid v. State of Michigan on Dec. 28 has the effect of leaving in place the state law known as MCL 388.1752b, in which the state compensates nonpublic schools for costs incurred in complying with state health, safety, and welfare mandates.
