State police funding bill considered

State Rep. Aaron Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said the subcommittee has advanced a budget plan prioritizing funds to strengthen public safety throughout Michigan.

The proposed budget includes a $1 million grant to help prevent sexual assaults on college campuses; $200,000 to support improved software within Michigan’s Advanced 911 system; and $5.5 million for a trooper recruit school anticipated to graduate 50 new troopers, for a total graduating class of 130 troopers.

Miller said the extra funding toward sexual-assault prevention initiatives will help improve students’ safety at Michigan college campuses, and the new graduating class of troopers will put the state trooper level at an 18-year high.

House Bill 5561 now moves to the full House Appropriations Committee for consideration.