LANSING, Mich. (WILX) — In a recent vote, Michigan lawmakers have agreed to restore $125 million of the $300 million cut from the state’s school safety and mental health funding for the upcoming fiscal year. This decision follows criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding the Democratic-backed education budget passed in June.
Republicans argue that the partial funding falls short of addressing the essential needs of schools. “It restores only half of the funding that schools use to improve safety and security and to provide students with mental support,” stated Rep. Nancy DeBoer (R-Holland). “This means that schools will install only half the door locks, and only half of the students who need mental health support may receive it.”
In contrast, House Democrats emphasize the positive steps being taken to enhance support for students and educators. “Michigan Democrats are taking transformational steps to meet the needs of our kids, our parents, and our teachers,” said Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Detroit). “Strong schools support healthy kids, and that’s what we are bringing home to every community in Michigan today.”
According to the Detroit Free Press, House Democrats indicated that they reallocated funds that would have gone unspent in the 2024 budget to facilitate this restoration of funding.
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