Capitol News

More children in Michigan will have access to safer schools and healthy meals, and pregnant women will receive more support, following the signing of the new state budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) highlighted these changes after the budget was enacted.

The bipartisan budget agreement, approved by the Legislature and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, includes $321 million allocated for school safety. Of this amount, $14 million is set aside for security improvement grants specifically for nonpublic schools, which educate over 100,000 students in Michigan each year. Additional funds include $3.5 million for nonpublic schools to hire school resource officers and another $3.5 million to provide mental health support services.

The MCC stated that it has consistently advocated for nonpublic schools to be included in support services aimed at all students. This year's increase in funding comes as concerns about school safety remain high, especially after incidents such as the attack at Annunciation Catholic School and Parish in Minneapolis earlier this school year.

The new budget also provides that all eligible Michigan school students will have access to healthy meals, regardless of family income. The Legislature allocated $1.6 million so qualifying nonpublic schools can participate in the state's expanded breakfast and lunch program. Previously, nonpublic school students were excluded from this program, including those in areas like Flint, Saginaw, and Jackson.

Paul Stankewitz, policy advocate for MCC, said, “All students should feel safe in school, and all students should have access to a healthy meal. Feeling safe and ensuring students do not go hungry are crucial to student learning, and this bipartisan budget ensures these priorities are available to more students in Michigan, regardless of the school they attend.”

The budget also includes a $270 million investment into the Rx Kids program. This initiative gives mothers in need a $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 monthly for six months to one year after birth. Originally started in Flint, Rx Kids has expanded to other cities such as Pontiac and Kalamazoo and rural areas like Clare County and the eastern Upper Peninsula. To date, Rx Kids has distributed nearly $16 million to 3,668 families, with almost 60% of recipients reporting annual household incomes of $20,000 or less.

Rebecca Mastee, J.D., policy advocate for MCC, said, “For years, the Church has been inviting others to join us in walking with mothers in need, to ensure that no woman has to face pregnancy alone and that every woman has the support and love she needs to fulfill her vocation to motherhood. We are grateful the Legislature has re-prioritized a substantial amount of funding toward a program providing material support to mothers in need during a crucial stage of life for herself and her baby.”

Funding for school programs is detailed in Senate Bill 166, which passed with strong majorities in both legislative chambers. Funding for Rx Kids is part of House Bill 4706.

The Michigan Catholic Conference serves as the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Michigan.