North Michigan News

State Rep. Cam Cavitt on Tuesday criticized the Democrat school aid budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. According to Cavitt, the budget significantly reduces school safety funding by $300 million, reallocates $670 million from teacher retirement accounts, and does not include an increase in per-pupil funding for the first time in years.

“With one signature, the governor left kids across Northeast Michigan less safe and without critical mental health resources,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “Democrats will stop at nothing to bankroll their radical agenda. Our teachers will suffer. Our kids are going to suffer. But Democrats don’t care who loses as long as they view themselves as winners.”

The previous budget under Republican leadership was passed in 2022 and included $150 million for school mental health grants, $168 million in school safety grants, $25 million for school resource officers, and $2 million for the School Safety and Mental Health Commission – totaling $345 million. Two years later, Democrats have allocated only $26.5 million for school safety and mental health funding.

Cavitt highlighted that his community alone faces a reduction of nearly $2.4 million in school safety funding next year. The districts most affected include Alpena Public Schools with a loss of $770,910; Cheboygan Area Schools losing $311,262; and Oscoda Area Schools with a cut of $252,871.

Instead of focusing on student mental health services, Cavitt pointed out that Democrats allocated funds to other areas such as gifting the Michigan Public Service Commission with $5.8 million and 31 new full-time positions to implement green energy mandates. The budget also includes allocations of $156.2 million for a low-income solar program and $68 million for a solar factory.

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