(Lansing, MI)  --  Funding cuts to Michigan schools may be less than originally anticipated. The state House has proposed to cut roughly 220 dollars per student, instead of the original estimate of 300 dollars per pupil, and the state Senate is proposing a 170-dollar per-student cut. Both sides are expected to meet in the middle on the amount. The House and Senate have yet to finalize a budget deal and lawmakers have planned a revenue estimating conference for Monday to discuss the amount of funding needed to be put aside for schools. 

Meanwhile, one of the casualties of Governor Rick Snyder's tax plans may get new life. The state Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income working families has been renewed in Senate negotiations, although at less than a third of its current level. The credit will be lowered to six percent, and will be paid for by dropping a proposed 25 dollar-per-child tax credit and a special Homestead Property Tax exemption for the working poor. The current EITC credit is about 43 dollars for a qualifying family, but if approved, will drop to an average of just under 140 dollars.