MEA applauds Michigan Supreme Court’s denial of appeal in ‘held bills,’ HB 6058 case
The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County, in response to the Michigan Supreme Court’s denial of the appeal in Senate v. House regarding the unconstitutional withholding of bills from presentation to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer:
“Michigan residents have waited more than 18 months for the State House to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and send the final nine bills from 2024 to the governor for signature. During that time, educators and other public employees have experienced rising health insurance premiums that have reduced take-home pay and added to the pressures facing the education profession.
“One of the held bills, HB 6058, would address this by fairly increasing the share that employers can pay for health coverage and restoring the ability to negotiate over those details. Bringing greater balance to this situation is essential to recruit and retain great educators for Michigan students.
“With today’s denial of the final appeal in the State Senate’s lawsuit regarding these held bills, it’s time for the process to move forward. We urge Speaker Matt Hall to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling and send HB 6058 and the other eight bills to Gov. Whitmer without further delay. Educators and other public servants need certainty about their health care so they can focus on their critical work for Michigan students and families.”
“MEA thanks the State Senate and Majority Leader Winnie Brinks for their efforts throughout this process. We look forward to these bills arriving on the governor’s desk, consistent with the Michigan Constitution.”
RELATED BACKGROUND:
– May 6, 2026: MI Supreme Court holds oral arguments in case impacting educators’ health insurance costs
– Oct. 27, 2025: MEA congratulates Michigan Senate on victory in lawsuit against state House
– Sept. 2, 2025: Statewide survey: Average Michigan public school educator paying $2,400 more annually for health care
– Feb. 3, 2025: Michigan Senate sues House for withholding bills
– Jan. 31, 2025: MEA members join plea to House Speaker: Stop playing politics with people’s lives
– Jan. 1, 2025: Madafferi in Detroit News: Reforming health insurance law will keep great educators in our kids’ schools
