(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/25/2024) Legislative Democrats are using $125 million leftover from an old 2022 cost sharing program for one-time mental health and public safety grants to school districts, under legislation that passed both chambers Wednesday, but will not go into effect immediately because the Senate Republicans held back their support.

HB 5503 was born amid political pressure from Republicans and school groups. Earlier this year, Democrats passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget that spent most of their leftover School Aid Fund money to eliminate some of the cost-sharing obligation schools and teachers had to pay into the teacher retirement system. 

“We’re making critical investments in school safety with this bill. This was no small feat,” said House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park). 

In searching for a pot of money to draw from, the fiscal agencies found a $240 million program from 2022 that helped districts with the upfront costs of hiring a school psychologist, social worker, nurse or counselor, if the district eventually picked up the salary. 

The old cost-sharing program didn’t take off as hoped, freeing up $125 million for school safety and school mental health grants. 

This bill also sets aside another $1 million for a tip line about improperly stored firearms that are accessible to a minor. 

In conference committee, Rep. Nancy DeBoer (R-Holland) tried to increase the funding another $176.5 million to what the state was able to afford in the past -- $160 million from the School Aid Fund and $16.5 million from the General Fund. 

“This bill only restores roughly half of the funding for mental health support and half the funding for security,” she said. “Only half of the students will get support. That is not good enough. This is not a place to cut corners.” 

In response, Senate K-12 Appropriations Committee Chair Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) asked where she was funding that $176.5 million in the budget. DeBoer referenced money collected by the Corporate Income Tax. 

“I found it fascinating that she brought up the CIT to raise revenue,” he said after the meeting. “If she’s interested in raising money from the CIT, let’s have that discussion.” 

The conference report passed without fanfare in the House, 98-11, but things went sideways in the Senate.

Republican Senators voted ‘no’ along party lines, saying there were several problems with the funding as passed in the House. Their decision means the money won't be available until 90 days after session ends, or basically late March or early April. Had they voted yes, the money would have been available this calendar year.

During the statements at the end of session the parties snipped at each other about the passage of the bills, with Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) screaming “shame” and Sen. Aric NESBITT (R-Lawton) calling the plan “half-baked.”

Nesbitt said the Democrats had a chance to get schools the full funding when they asked to discharge a bill that would give $300 million for school safety.

“Because of this half measure, half of the door locks that should be installed in classrooms won’t be, half of the security cameras that would be installed to detect intruders won’t be, and half of the students facing a mental health crisis won’t receive the support they need,” he said.

The difference between the bills came into focus as Sen. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) stated that there was no money in the Democrat version of the bill that would go to private schools. 

He called the entire thing a “spin job” but not a very good one.

He said the money for the bill was just what was diverted from the school retirement fund and that there was no attempt to hide it.

“At least try a little harder next time. My gosh, you guys are usually way better at spinning than we are. That was pathetic,” Albert said.

Sens. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) said “shame on you” over and over to the Dems in the chamber, and Sens. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Twp.) and Joseph Bellino Jr. (R-Monroe) gave speeches about the passage. 

Along with no money for private schools the fact the funding was a one-time only chunk was also brought up.

Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) shot back saying the bill is an investment in children.

“It is infuriating to stand here and receive criticism from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle when they just voted to not send this money immediately to classrooms who need it most,” Camilleri said.

He said he didn’t understand why the House Republicans could get behind the bill to pass it, but the Senate Republicans blocked the immediate effect.

“What is wrong with you? There are kids that are dealing with safety issues in the classroom every single day, from mental health crisis to guns in the classroom and schools. They want this money, and they want it right now,” he said.

Sens. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) also spoke about the passage.

Singh pointed out that Republicans not only voted against the passage of the supplemental, but voted no on the entire budget when it was passed.

“I want you to go back to your superintendents and say: ‘Hey, the reason you've got to wait for this money until April is because I am able to give a speech on the Senate floor.' That’s what you’re doing here today,” he said. “Always debate the policy, but if you are going to rip money from the schools, don’t stand there and lecture us.”

State Superintendent Mike Rice said, "For the good of children, I hope that the Senate will reconsider and make the funds available to schools sooner. The additional $125 million in funding that’s been approved today would greatly benefit our students and local schools.”