LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Mark Huizinga said Monday he is working on a bill to restore about $302 million in funding for school safety and student mental health care that was cut in the newly approved state budget.
“Michigan has been facing a children's mental health crisis for years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation,” said Huizinga, a Walker Republican. “A variety of factors, from social media to school closures during the pandemic, have contributed to alarming rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among Michigan children, and improving school safety is also a concern in many communities.”
“Over the past few years, we have significantly increased funding for schools to address safety and student mental health, but this year the Democratic-controlled Legislature voted to cut this critical funding by 92% in next year's budget.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the fiscal year 2025 budget in July, but it cuts funding for student mental health and school safety measures by about $302 million, dropping support for them from $328 million in the current budget to just $26.5 million in the Oct. 1 budget.
“As children across Michigan return to the classroom, it's critical that we come together to fix this by getting back on track and restoring critical funding to ensure schools provide safe learning environments and all students have access to the mental health care services they need,” Huizinga said. “That's the goal of my bill, and I hope to pass it before the new budget begins in October.”
Gov. Huizinga has requested a supplemental budget proposal for 2024-25 that would use $301.5 million from the state's general fund to restore funding for school safety and student mental health to current levels.
The bill is expected to be formally introduced when the Senate returns next month.
###
