The bill would restructure the school aid budget to "ensure that every Michigan student is treated fairly," Pumford said in a written statement.

More than 50 percent of Michigan public schools receive a $6,700-per-student allowance , while more wealthy districts receive upwards of $11,000 per student, Pumford said.

Wealthier districts would be cut more dollar-wise amount, but would still be cut considerably less percentage-wise, he said.

Under Granholm's pro-ration plan, Hart Public Schools, which receives $6,700 per student, will take a $82.84 cut per student. Birmingham City Schools in Oakland County receive $11,878 and lose $46.93 per student. Pumford proposes every school district in Michigan is cut to an equitable $69 per pupil.

"It is not fair to balance the school aid budget on the backs of rural and poorer school districts," Pumford said.

Last week, the bill sponsored by state Sen. Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond, unanimously passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

If the bill is adopted, it would amend the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure, making it a felony punishable by up to four years in prison or up to a $2,000 fine , or both.

Impersonating a police officer is a misdemeanor offense and time is served concurrent with time for other convictions under current law.

Support for the bill stems from numerous incidents of police impersonation across the state and throughout the country. In 2000-2001, there were 16 such cases reported in southeastern Michigan.

People don't question a person with a badge or uniform, making them more vulnerable to attack by an impersonator, Sanborn said.

State residents might receive tax credit for paying health costs

The refundable credit would be applicable to taxpayers and members of their immediate family eligible to be claimed as dependents.

This tax credit will make a difference for families struggling to pay premiums, Scott said.

The credit will allow many Michigan workers and their families to see doctors regularly, so they can prevent more expensive health problems in the future, she said.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Local, Urban & State Affairs earlier this month.

Recyclable bottles might be prohibited in out-of-state garbage

Beer bottles, soft drink containers and wine cooler bottles would be included in the ban to help enforce Michigan's environmental protection laws.

"Michigan citizens faithfully return those bottles with deposits and do a good job of recycling other non-deposit bottles, so this waste does not end up in our landfills," Cherry said in a written statement.

If Michigan is unable to ban all imported trash, then Cherry said she feels Michigan should at least be able to regulate what trash is accepted.

"Accepting what we don't throw into our landfill ourselves is simply wrong," Cherry said.