Rep. Tisdel: Bipartisan education budget will boost Michigan students, address learning loss
July 14, 2022 - State Rep. Mark Tisdel today praised major investments in Michigan students’ education contained in the state’s new school aid budget.
The record budget for K-12 and higher education, contained in Senate Bill 845, was signed into law today, after Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, and the Legislature approved the plan earlier this month with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“Michigan students will have resources to succeed under our bipartisan school aid budget,” Tisdel said. “These resources will help teachers educate our young people, and give schools the tools needed to keep them safe.”
After last year’s budget provided schools with equal per-pupil foundation allowance funding for the first time, the new plan maintains the equal funding and increases the amount of each grant from $8,700 per student to $9,150. The Great Start Readiness Program for at-risk preschoolers will also receive $9,150 per child.
Increased investments will support special education, bringing the total to $1.92 billion. A total of $747.5 million will support at-risk students. The budget also utilizes one-time federal funding to provide $52 million to Michigan schools to address learning loss. To receive resources from the program, schools will be required to create a plan for how to address learning loss with the funds.
“Closed schools during the pandemic led to learning loss for many students, so our budget invests more support to address this widespread struggle and help kids catch back up,” Tisdel said.
Keeping students safe remains a top priority, with $168 million for school safety grants and $25 million for school resource officers. Other funds will help support student mental health.
The higher education budget offers a boost to Rochester Hills’ own Oakland University. OU and other lower-funded state universities will see the largest increase in state funding. The plan will also help college students by preventing excessive tuition hikes.
The new law provides funding for fiscal year 2023, which begins Oct. 1. The governor is expected to approve Michigan’s general budget, also supported by Tisdel, soon.
Rep. Tisdel: New 988 suicide prevention phone number will support mental health, save lives
July 13, 2022 - State Rep. Mark Tisdel today praised the imminent nationwide rollout of the 988 phone number to serve as a convenient contact point for a critical mental health hotline.
Beginning this Saturday, July 16, dialing 988 will direct calls across the United States to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The three-digit number will make it even easier for people to seek help and support in a time of crisis, and the Lifeline’s complete number, 1-800-273-8255, will also stay in operation.
“For years, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline has supported people in moments of crisis, and now, calling the lifeline will be simpler than ever,” said Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills. “Qualified, compassionate counselors answer every call to lend a listening ear and offer professional, mental health assistance. Everyone should familiarize themselves and their loved ones with 988 — the quick, easy number anyone can call for help.”
Since 2005, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has connected people contemplating suicide or struggling with other mental health challenges to trained counselors at local crisis centers across the country. Through the Lifeline, callers receive counseling, encouragement, and additional mental health resources.
The Lifeline network includes more than 200 crisis centers.
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About State Representative Mark Tisdel
State Rep. Mark Tisdel, of Rochester Hills, represents Greater Rochester in the Michigan House of Representatives. The 45th House District, which Tisdel represents, includes the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township.
Representative Mark Tisdel is one of 110 Members of The Michigan House of Representatives who are elected by the qualified electors of districts having approximately 77,000 to 91,000 residents.
Representatives are elected in even-numbered years to 2-year terms. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures through the federal decennial census.
July 19, 2022, from the office of 45th District Michigan House Representative Mark A. Tisdel