Michigan’s budget still has a lot of fat to cut - Michael LaFaive , Times-Herald

• Higher education — performance funding for universities: $74.6 million. This represents additional funding designed by the Snyder administration to persuade university leadership to adopt what it considers valuable outcomes, such as the awarding of STEM degrees and tuition restraint. Laudable goals, but the money could be better spent elsewhere. • AgBioResearch and Michigan State University extension — $59.6 million. Mackinac Center analysts have called for striking these two appropriations from the state budget since 1996. The first conducts research relating to agriculture industry. The second supports 4-H programs and conducts other educational work — such as teaching people how to freeze-dry foods. Public research to benefit Michigan’s for-profit agricultural industry is unnecessary. If such research is advantageous to the industry it should self-fund. Education programs like the ones advanced by MSU extension could also be created by private individuals or groups. The Internet is a wonderful tool for bringing together people interested in expanding their knowledge. http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/columnists/2014/09/22/michigans-budget-still-lot-fat-cut/16067325/