Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the final budget bills for the 2010 fiscal year, which included the elimination of the state patrol-run school bus inspection program. But, in doing so, she directed the state police to save it by reallocating its own funds.

The governor effectively expressed her support of the annual inspections, a day after news reports of the Michigan Association of School Administrators saying school districts would file suit to force the state to keep the program. Without proper revenues, districts have no resources to pay the state police for the services. State law only requires that school buses be inspected and that schools cannot take possession of one until the state police certify it for operation.

"Because this is an unfunded mandate, I call on the legislature to appropriate the necessary resources for this critical service in an effort to protect the safety and security of our most precious resource: our children," added Gov. Granholm in a statement.

Specifically, the governor is calling on the state police to now find resources within its department’s budget for allocating money to continue the school bus inspection program. The program elimination was originally part of a total $10 billion in state budget cuts, more than any governor has made in history. While today's news appears to save the program, many within the state are holding their breath and expressing unease.

"I am amazed the state would put so little emphasis on school bus safety and tell districts to seek legal counsel," said Ron Smith, transportation manager for the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. "What this means is that districts will be driving an illegal bus on the road for a while and then possibly an unsafe bus after a period of time. Placing the burden on school district is unreasonable."

Others are not as worried.

"It’s Michigan; much like the weather, wait five minutes, and it will change before it impacts anyone," said Tom Moore, transportation supervisor at Huron Valley School District.