State Rep. Matt Hall expressed strong opposition on Thursday to the new state budget passed by Democrats, highlighting that public schools in Kalamazoo and Allegan counties will lose millions of dollars allocated for school safety and mental health initiatives. Hall, R-Richland Township, stated that the 92% reduction in funding—amounting to a $302 million cut statewide—will result in layoffs of school resource officers and mental health professionals, and will eliminate vital security measures and mental health resources for students.
The Michigan Education Association, a significant union for teachers and school employees typically aligned with Democrats, has called for the Legislature to reconvene and reinstate the safety and mental health funding for schools.
“Republicans made school safety and mental health top priorities in our education budgets, but now that Democrats have full control, they’re reversing course and cutting support for these critical student needs,” Hall said. “Their wasteful new budget takes away millions of dollars that should be going to schools in Southwest Michigan to boost students’ mental health and keep kids and teachers safe in class. These dangerous budget cuts will undermine the health and safety of young people in Kalamazoo and Allegan counties and will force devoted school resource officers and counselors out of their jobs.”
In the 2022 budget, Hall secured $343 million for school safety and mental health, including dedicated funds for school resource officers. The new Democrat-led budget, totaling $83 billion, cuts school safety funding and fails to increase core school funding for the first time since 2011. School officials and educators have warned that these decisions will lead to cuts in educational programs and staff layoffs.
Hall voted against the budget, citing its detrimental impact on school safety, when it passed the Legislature in June. Despite opposition, the governor, who negotiated the budget with Democratic lawmakers, has indicated her intention to sign it into law.
Related topics:
