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ASMSU urges Michigan Senate to reconsider $500K cut to sexual assault investigation funding

May 5, 2015

Update 6:06 p.m.

Earlier today, the amendment proposed by Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. to re-allocate the $500,000 back to the Michigan State Police passed the Michigan Senate.

He said of 19 amendments voted on today, that was the only one which passed. 

Hertel said he hopes ASMSU and his office can keep working together, and thanked ASMSU for their efforts in sending out letter supporting the amendment. 

"I really appreciate the letters from ASMSU, I used some of their facts that they presented in my floor speech," he said. 

Williams said the amendment passed unanimously with only a few abstentions and said he hoped the letters, which were widely-circulated, made a difference, especially since the amendment looked to be dead last night

"I'm absolutely ecstatic to see that student leadership made a difference in a policy issue that truly is so important to students," ASMSU Vice President for Governmental Affairs Bryn Williams said. 


After the Michigan Senate quietly removed a budget provision allocating $500,000 for the Michigan State Police to help with investigating sexual assault claims on college campuses, ASMSU plans to have a letter on the desks of Michigan senators on Tuesday, urging them to reconsider.

The Senate is set to vote on the budget provision tomorrow, which the Michigan House of Representatives approved, ASMSU's Vice President for Governmental Affairs Bryn Williams said. It would have allowed partnerships between universities and the state police.

Williams said the original allocation was originally placed into the budget by Governor Snyder.

He said he met with Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing) on Monday about the budget issue, who urged Williams to take action from a student perspective.

"$500,000 when it comes to state budgets is a drop in the pond, but $500,000 for the state police force with very little resources revolving around sexual assault — it's an incredibly valuable resource," Williams said.

Williams said if the provision does get removed from the senate budget, it won't necessarily be killed. When both the Senate and House have to vote on the final budget, he said it could be reconciled between the two. 

It also opens up a path for more student advocacy on this issue, even from student organizations outside of MSU.

"Our voices will be heard," he said. 

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