Legislative and political landscapes in Michigan and Washington, D.C. are changing every day, and this magazine takes a few weeks to print and arrive to you, so timely updates are challenging. In general we can say this:

At the federal level, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is cutting funding for public schools, while trying to shut down the education department, all with the same goal as Betsy DeVos from the first Trump administration: shifting public dollars to private schools. (Related story: Congress passes federal vouchers scheme)

At the state level, various issues remain unresolved between the Republican-controlled House and Senate Democrats.

At MEA, we know federal cuts will harm kids in every community, but especially our most vulnerable students and those in rural and urban schools. Stay tuned. Get involved. Talk with others you know. We must share what’s happening in our schools and classrooms.

Contact MEA Voice Editor Brenda Ortega at bortega@mea.org to report how cuts and changes are affecting your staff and students, so we can go beyond numbers and tell the human story.

✓ Federal funding freeze ends

Nearly a month late, the Trump administration abruptly unfroze $5 billion withheld from states by the U.S. Department of Education.

Pushes for the funding, due to school districts by July 1, came from constituent calls to lawmakers and a lawsuit filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 21 other states. It’s a good reminder: When we fight back against bad policies, we can win.

✓ Various timelines for reconciliation bill

HR 1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress in July, will have devastating impacts on health coverage and costs, food security, college affordability and more — all to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy.

From cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to new student loan hoops and voucher schemes, education will bear big blows as the law’s various provisions take effect in coming years — largely after the next election.

Look for updates at mea.org/protect.

✓ State budget negotiations ongoing

At press time, the Michigan Legislature had not passed an education budget for 2025-26. While it’s important to pass a budget as soon as possible to make decisions for the coming year, MEA has urged lawmakers to negotiate and get this budget right for students and educators.

Proposals to leave available school revenues on the state’s balance sheet or divert those funds to other projects threaten to shortchange education from preschool through higher education.

Look for updates at mea.org/legislation.

✓ Still waiting on insurance fix

House Bill 6058, which addressed skyrocketing out-of-pocket health insurance costs for school employees, passed in December. But since January House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richmond) has kept the bill from going to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for signature.

The state Senate sued Hall for refusing to follow the Michigan Constitution, and oral arguments will happen soon. Meanwhile, MEA surveyed members’ health cost experiences during the long wait for HB 6058 to become law.

Look for updates at mea.org/fixhealthcare.