State Rep. Beth Griffin, of Mattawan, has sponsored a plan to restore funding for school safety grants vetoed by Gov. Whitmer along with several other critical funding cuts on Oct. 1.

Griffin, a former school teacher, said the need for improved safety measures is greater than ever.

School safety grants can be used for panic alert systems, intercom systems, secure doorways and locks, security cameras, shatter resistant windows, two-way radios and more. Griffin’s plan also gives schools the option to utilize a statewide panic button app.

“I’m surprised that our governor didn’t see the magnitude of the need for these school safety grants,” Griffin said. “Every child should feel safe going to school each day and every parent should have peace of mind sending them there. I’m committed to rectifying the governor’s serious oversight.”

Griffin’s measure is part of a bipartisan plan to restore funding to 24 programs vetoed by the governor on Oct. 1.

Some of the other proposals would restore funding for:

• County veteran services
• Sheriff road patrols
• Career technical education equipment
• Autism resources
• Critical access hospitals
• Rural access hospitals
• Newborn health care
• Summer school reading programs
• Public charter school students
• Michigan tuition grants

The plan was referred to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

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