LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Mark Huizenga on Monday said he’s working on legislation to restore nearly $302 million in school safety and student mental health care funding that was cut in the newly signed state budget.
“Michigan has been facing a growing mental health crisis among our children for years and the situation was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Huizenga, R-Walker. “From social media to school shutdowns during the pandemic, various factors have led to alarming rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among Michigan’s children — and enhancing school safety also remains a concern in many communities.
“Over the last few years, we drastically increased funding for schools to help address safety and student mental health — but this year the Democratic-controlled Legislature decided to cut this critical funding by 92% in next year’s budget.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July signed a fiscal year 2025 budget that cuts almost $302 million in funding dedicated to student mental health and school safety — going from $328 million in support in the current budget to just $26.5 million in the budget starting Oct. 1.
“As kids across Michigan return to their classrooms, it’s crucial that we work together to solve this problem by correcting this course and restoring this vital funding to help our schools provide safe learning environments and ensure all our students have access to the mental health care services they need,” Huizenga said. “That is what my bill would do, and I hope we can get it passed before the new budget starts in October.”
Huizenga has requested a supplemental budget bill for fiscal year 2024-25 that would use $301.5 million from the state’s General Fund to restore school safety and student mental health funding to the current level.
The bill is expected to be formally introduced when the Senate returns to session next month.
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