Minnesota school shooting underscores urgent need for action

State Rep. Josh Schriver today encouraged everyone involved in budget negotiations at the state Capitol to endorse strong support for school safety and mental health programs following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota. The House Republican budget plan vastly increases funding for the safety programs and also offers that funding to charter and private schools, like Annunciation Catholic, but both of those increases remain significant points of difference between the various drafts being discussed at the Capitol.

“This is no time to pick and choose which kids get protection,” Schriver said. “Every student deserves access to critical support, and every school deserves the same ability to improve their buildings and staff school resource officers. The horrific events in Minnesota show how tragedy can strike anywhere and that our country’s mental health issues are incredibly widespread. Catholic school parents deserve the same peace of mind that their children are safe at school.”

In 2023, Michigan cut funding for school safety and mental health programming statewide by 92%. Funding for Catholic schools and other private institutions was completely eliminated. Now House Republicans are working to fully restore that funding and offer it to every school, one of several decision points being worked out between House Republicans, Senate Democrats and Gov. Whitmer as negotiations continue.

“Every student deserves to be protected, regardless of their faith or where they attend school,” Schriver said. “The final state budget agreement must offer these critical resources to everyone equally instead of leaving our Catholic families to fend for themselves. That’s simply the right thing do, and it has never been clearer to everyone involved.”