Waterford Today

State Representative Mike Harris has expressed criticism towards Michigan Democrats for not fully funding school safety and mental health initiatives. This comes after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a partial funding measure, which leaves schools with less than half of the safety funding they had received in previous years.

“Democrats are still shortchanging critical safety and mental health needs in Michigan schools,” stated Harris, R-Waterford. He emphasized that when Democrats eliminated 92% of school safety and mental health funding, there was significant public backlash from parents, teachers, and school leaders. "Even now, they are refusing to restore more than half of these critical resources and asking the people of Michigan to be satisfied," he added.

The budget cuts by Democrats amounted to $301.5 million or 92% of the funds dedicated to school safety and mental health. The decision faced severe criticism from various stakeholders who highlighted potential program cuts and layoffs for school resource officers and mental health counselors as consequences.

Democrats have introduced House Bill 5503, aiming to restore less than half of the previously cut funds. However, Harris argues that this is an attempt to divert attention from their continued blocking of full funding for these essential services. While he voted in favor of the bill, Harris called for complete restoration of resources necessary for student well-being.

Harris pointed out that sufficient general fund dollars remain available to fully support school safety and mental health efforts but accused Democrats of reserving those funds for corporate incentives and other projects deemed wasteful.

In response to the situation, House Republicans proposed House Bill 5926 during the summer session. This bill aims to prevent layoffs among counselors and school resource officers by reinstating the $301.5 million removed from the budget by Democrats.