LANSING Mich. (WLNS) – As lawmakers work to finalize the state’s budget, which is due soon, Michigan organizations are trying to get more funding for their causes.
The result was not what the Michigan Education Justice Coalition wanted to see.
The executive director of the group, Molly Sweeney, said they handed out petitions Wednesday morning, ahead of the lawmakers’ meeting, in the hopes the conference committee would approve $300 million towards mental health in the 2025 state budget—which did not happen.
“Our schools need to help our students, and they need more staff and resources to do it,” Sweeney said.
Although the MEJC’s goal wasn’t met, the conference committee did vote to increase funding for mental health and safety to around $150 million—but sources tell 6 News that, in the last budget, $300 million was allotted to mental health and safety.
Lawmakers explained that in previous years there has been federal money to help fund education, but those funds have dried up. State Rep. Nancy DeBoer said despite that, it is still not an area to cut corners.