Legislation
Educators deserve to have their voice heard in policy decisions about public education. That’s why MEA works hard to keep members informed about what’s happening in Lansing and Washington, and help raise the voices of school employees on these critical issues.
Legislative News
MEA statement on Senate’s passage of educator retention bill lowering health care costs
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 Senate’s passage of House Bill 6058: “The Michigan Education Association applauds the Senate for passing House Bill 6058, which will help keep the best and brightest educators working in our students’ classrooms and helping them…
Michigan Education Association hails House passage of bill lowering health care cost for educators
The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County, in response to the state House’s passage of House Bill 6058 and the Senate’s approval of Senate Bills 1129 and 1130: “By taking swift action on this critical issue, the legislators have taken a critical step in reigning in skyrocketing…
Join MEA members making plea to lawmakers: restore affordable health care for educators
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member John Duffy lobbied state representatives to fix a state law causing dramatic increases in out-of-pocket health care costs for educators. UPDATE (Dec. 13, 2024) — The state House passed House Bill 6058 on Friday, and it will now advance to the state Senate for their concurrence (the Senate approved identical legislation on…
MEA praises lawmakers for passing additional mental health funding and relief for educators
EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association today praised state lawmakers for approving a supplemental education budget providing $125 million in additional funding for school safety and student mental health, as well for passing legislation permanently ending the state’s 3% tax on public school employees. MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County, said: “On behalf of…
MEA statement on MI Senate’s passage of financial relief for educators and schools
EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County: “The Michigan Education Association applauds the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 911, which will permanently end the state’s 3% tax on more than 100,000 veteran teachers and school support staff. “Our union has worked closely with…
Educator housing initiative launches in Northern Michigan
Traverse City Education Association president Chandra Fles and Governor Gretchen Whitmer As a housing shortage hampers Northern Michigan school districts’ ability to recruit and retain educators, a new group has emerged to tackle the issue head-on. Grand Traverse Housing for Educators, a newly formed consortium that includes Northwest Educator Services, Traverse City Area Public Schools, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools…
MEA President and CEO hails return of 3% of salaries back to educators, says more work must be done
EAST LANSING — The following is a statement from MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi regarding the Michigan Legislature’s passage of the 2024-25 School Aid budget: “More than 100,000 school employees across Michigan will get a much-needed 3% of their salaries back in their pockets, and school districts will receive an average $250 per-pupil increase to help students learn, thanks…
New report shows Michigan lagging on educator salaries
As Michigan’s budget process enters the final stretch, lawmakers must maintain our state’s momentum by passing an education budget that prioritizes increasing educator compensation so we can provide every student with trained, qualified and caring school employees. Thanks to the bipartisan support from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature, Michigan has passed record levels of funding for school districts in…
Higher education budget increases coming in budget negotiations
In addition to positive budget proposals for PreK-12 schools, state budget proposals for community colleges and universities are strong as well for 2024-25. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget plan, that came out the beginning of February, calls for a 2.5% increase in funding for the state’s 15 public universities and 28 community colleges. Both the House and Senate are also recommending…
State education budget proposals make strong, differing investments in students
With the introduction of the House and Senate School Aid Fund budget proposals – in addition to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive budget recommendations earlier this year – the state budget process for the 2024-25 school year is now in full swing. Over the next few weeks, MEA will be closely engaged with stakeholders in budget negotiations, advocating for the resources…
Resources
MEA Legislative Priorities – As adopted by the MEA Legislation Commission and Board of Directors.
Capitol Comments – Get plugged in by subscribing to MEA’s political and legislative e-newsletter.