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
Wear #RedForEd for national Day of Action on Tuesday
On Tuesday, March 4, join educators across Michigan in wearing #RedForEd as part of the national Protect Our Kids Day of Action. Help raise awareness about the importance of federal education funding for our students amid efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. A collaborative effort between NEA, AFT, AROS, Mom’s Rising and the Working Families Party, the goal…
Victory in Senate lawsuit vs. House on hold-up of HB 6058
On Thursday, the state Senate was victorious in their lawsuit against the House to compel the presentation of bills being held back from the governor – including HB 6058, which works to reduce skyrocketing out-of-pocket health insurance costs for educators and other public employees. Court of Appeals Judge Sima Patel ruled in favor of Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and the Michigan…
Labor files support of lawsuit after lawmakers update Winter Conference on health care legislation
Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and Bob Callender, president of the Warren Education Association, at the MEA Winter Conference. Xiong sponsored HB 6058 after learning of the impending crisis from MEA staff and leaders, including Callender. By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In a passionate address before a capacity crowd at the MEA Winter Conference last week, Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) recalled…
Governor releases 2025-26 budget recommendations
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, Governor Whitmer’s 2025-26 budget recommendations were presented to the Legislature. This is the first step in the state budget process for the year, with the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate beginning work on their plans beginning later this spring. Here are the highlights for the school aid and higher education budgets: K-12 Education 4.1% increase in…
Michigan Senate sues House for withholding bills
The Democratic-led state Senate filed a lawsuit on Monday to compel Republican House Speaker Matt Hall to transmit House Bill 6058 and eight other bills to Gov. Whitmer for a signature as the state constitution requires for all measures passed by both chambers of the Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) held a press conference to announce the…
MEA members join plea to House Speaker: Stop playing politics with people’s lives
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor UPDATE FEB. 3: Today the Democratic-led state Senate filed a lawsuit to compel Republican House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) to follow the state constitution and transmit House Bill 6058 and eight other bills held in limbo to Gov. Whitmer for a signature. Read more. MEA member Kim Sandefur normally teaches math to fourth and fifth…
Press conference, Senate lawsuit push for health cost bill to be presented, signed
UPDATE JAN. 22: The state Senate adopted a resolution today authorizing Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) to bring a lawsuit against House Speaker Matt Hall to compel him to send HB 6058 to the governor for her review. Read more about this developing story. State Rep. Mai Xiong speaks at Tuesday's press conference about the importance of HB…
Urge Speaker Hall to present health insurance bill to governor
The new House leadership under Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) has yet to present House Bill 6058 to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her review. This critical legislation, passed by the Legislature last month, would rein in skyrocketing health care costs for teachers, school support staff and other public employees. The State Constitution clearly states that, “Every bill passed by the…
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…
Resources
MEA Legislative Priorities – As adopted by the MEA Legislation Commission and Board of Directors.
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