An emergency spending bill to keep Detroit Public Schools open through the school year is moving quickly through the state House.
A House panel on Wednesday approved using about $50 million in tobacco settlement money to keep the nearly bankrupt district from closing its doors on April 8th.
Democratic state Representative Harvey Santana is from Detroit. He says the measure gives lawmakers much-needed time to consider a permanent rescue package for the district.
“The two weeks is a big breather for everybody," says Santana. "Because I know, for myself, this has taken so much out of me emotionally, physically, spiritually. I mean, I’m just drained of the issue, you know? And I live it every day.”
The full House is expected to vote on the bills Thursday.
