Sen. Ruth Johnson comments on 2023 State of the State address

Sen. Ruth Johnson comments on 2023 State of the State address

LANSING, Mich. — After watching Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2023 State of the State address Wednesday night, Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, issued the following statement:

“I agree with the governor about the importance of improving education and school safety. We have invested a record amount in our schools, and we must continue giving our teachers and parents the tools they need to ensure our kids recover and succeed academically. This effort must focus on reading and getting Michigan children the necessary support, like tutoring.

“Safety is critical to a positive learning environment. I now represent Oxford, which is still recovering from the horrific high school shooting in 2021. It was the worst thing I can imagine as a parent, and I’ve been working with Tate Myre’s family on student support. They started a foundation in his honor called ‘42 Strong’ and they’re doing a pilot program they hope will become a model for all schools to identify isolated kids and match them with a peer mentor.

“Almost four of every 10 kids in our country feel lonely and isolated all the time. We have to do something, and it’s not just about school violence. It’s also depression, suicide and suffering that we need to address.

“In addition to education, school safety and mental health, I look forward to working on guardianship and conservator reform, well water safety, distracted driving, and government integrity.”

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