Holland Reporter

State Representative Nancy DeBoer, a Republican from Holland, expressed her disappointment after Democrats in the majority rejected her amendment to the School Aid Supplemental. The amendment aimed to fully restore school safety and mental health funding that was reduced by 90% in the budget signed into law by Governor Whitmer earlier this year.

“I’m deeply disappointed by the heartless approach this School Aid Conference Committee has had toward pivotal school safety and mental health funding – a topic that should be unifying for all legislators, regardless of political ideology,” said DeBoer.

She noted that schools across Michigan would still lose millions of dollars in critical funding under the current supplemental plan. “The fact is that schools in my district, like every other across Michigan, will still lose millions of dollars in critical funding under the supplemental plan they’ve put forth today. Our students are the most precious resource our state has, and protecting their wellbeing is among my top priorities. This plan falls short of preventing layoffs of school resource officers and counselors who play a vital role in maintaining peace in our schools.”

Despite her disappointment, DeBoer decided to support the plan when it was presented before the full House. “At the end of the day, while I am disappointed in this plan, something is better than nothing. I made the difficult decision to vote in support of this plan when presented before the full House because I have to do what’s best for the students in my community, and ensuring they have safety and mental health support, even if it’s less than before, was the right move today,” she explained.