LANSING, Mich. (Sep. 26, 2024) — Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) issued the following statement in response to passing $126 million for school safety and student mental health services last night and Senate Republicans voting against immediate effect for that funding.
“The funding we passed Wednesday provides an additional $126 million to make our schools safer and ensure our students have access to mental health services. It builds on the permanent, ongoing $600 million+ Senate Democrats approved for schools earlier this summer, and nearly $180 million approved for student health and mental health support this year.
“Our teachers, superintendents, administrators, parents, principals, and students rely on us to do our job, and called on us to deliver this funding for safer schools. However, because Michigan Senate Republicans refused to make this funding available immediately, our schools will go most of this school year without being able to use these critical dollars and resources.
“Included in the $126 million passed yesterday is $1 million that will support an anonymous tip line for students to report an unsecured firearm, allowing the school district to notify that household that safe storage of their firearms around minors is now required by law.
“Michigan has experienced too many preventable tragedies because guns were not securely stored. In effect since February 13, 2024, my safe storage law will save more lives with more people aware of the dangers of unsecured firearms around kids.
“From the early work as a member of the Senate Pre-K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee to yesterday’s vote, I am proud of the commitment our caucus has made in prioritizing child safety and investment into our schools.
“Classroom and building security, counselors, school resource officers, mental health professionals and services, a ‘see something, say something’ tip line tool for kids — these should be making our kids and schools safer today. The vote to delay is needlessly dangerous.
“Senate Republicans would rather play politics than solve problems, and that hurts our kids and teachers. I will never put partisan games in front of the safety and well-being of our students and educators.”
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