Great Lakes Wire

House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) Chair Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) has resigned from her campaign leadership post, along with Finance Chair Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills). This development comes only a week after the chamber passed an $18.5 billion School Aid budget without an accompanying bill codifying changes to the public school employees retirement system (MPSERS).

Weiss also chairs the House Appropriations School Aid and Education subcommittee, while Steckloff chairs the Higher Education and Community Colleges subcommittee.

House Democratic Spokesperson Amber McCann stated, “The Speaker is in the process of revising the caucus campaign structure and fine-tuning the operation. He appreciates the hard work of Rep. Weiss and Rep. Steckloff over the past several months and looks forward to their continued support heading into November.”

Neither Weiss nor Steckloff returned a request for comment on their resignations, which a source close to the House told MIRS was in protest over the failure to transmit SB 911. The bill was voted out during budget day and would make permanent changes to MPSERS in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget.

According to reporting first done by The Detroit News, several lawmakers expressed frustration that they believed when voting on the budget that the Senate bill would also be transmitted from the House. However, it was not transmitted.

In a release sent by Tate’s office last Thursday, Speaker Tate said: “The House passed a significant number of bills over the past several days and the Clerk’s office is still working to transmit all those bills. There is also still more work to be done with our colleagues in the Senate and with the Governor to determine the final version of MPSERS reform, but I am committed to continuing that conversation.”

In a post on Facebook that was later deleted and added to, Steckloff said: “A decision was made, without our knowledge, to not send the bill over to the Senate, killing all hopes for this critical funding.” She added: “I’m extremely disappointed and angry that Democratic House leadership would do this to our caucus and our schools.” She later clarified that funding will reach schools next year with passage of the budget but is not extended past 2025 as would have been done if SB 911 had passed.

The bill lowers school districts’ MPSERS responsibilities by 3.5 percentage points instead of 7 percent as requested by school groups. It reduces rates from 20.96 percent to 17.46 percent in FY 2025; further reductions are planned for subsequent years.

Without its passage, state budget includes a one-time 5.75 percent decrease in rates paid into MPSERS by school districts saving them an estimated $589 million with an additional $180 million set aside for reimbursing teachers who pay three percent of their salaries towards retiree healthcare.

A source close to school advocacy groups mentioned that reimbursement doesn’t negate teachers' obligation to pay three percent; without future budget allocations there won’t be reimbursements next year.

With lower percentage decreases than requested by school groups and potential new conditions like increased accountability provisions attached, this source told MIRS that what seemed like a good idea has essentially been ruined.

School groups initially sought MPSERS reforms as a way to free up money for local officials but justified reform partly through removal of any foundational allowance increase for public schools—a harder appropriation cutback given schools' expectations based on current budgeting according to this source.

Michigan Education Association (MEA) President Chandra Madafferi noted rebate plus per-pupil increases due from budget's MPSERS change will help local schools invest more in students/staff but cited "deep cuts" needing navigation at local levels affecting safety/mental health provisions—hoping lawmakers pass supplemental budgets funding these priorities post-summer break saying otherwise quality public education provision risks falling short statewide.

Peter Spadafore executive director Michigan Alliance Student Opportunity said no foundational increase coupled lack statutory protection rate buydown unexpected encouraging quick legislative action Lansing pass HB5803 enshrining rate buydown law alleviating payroll tax balancing budgets before summer break rule precluded votes urging return legislation supplement existing budgets protections/rate buydowns essential relief education sectors affected recent developments lacking sufficient safeguards needed educational quality assurances longer-term systemic impacts unresolved absent such interventions prioritizing essential stakeholder needs amid evolving fiscal/policy contexts critical timely addressing pertinent challenges ensuring robust sustainable education frameworks ongoing priority aligned sectoral goals broader socio-economic objectives crucially impacted thus necessitating concerted efforts collaborative solutions advancing collective interests stakeholders involved educational community broadly speaking comprehensive policy-driven strategies imperative fostering conducive environments promoting optimal outcomes education domains ultimately serving wider societal benefits underpinning fundamental roles/school systems key drivers socio-economic progress/enhancement reinforcing commitments equitable inclusive high-quality accessible education pivotal national priorities integral sustained developmental trajectories aligned overarching aspirations nation-building endeavors contextually relevant adaptive responsive evolving dynamics facing contemporary educational landscapes strategic importance proactive engagements focused meaningful impactful results benefiting diverse constituencies stakeholders contributing holistic advancement shared goals common good overarching imperatives framing guiding principles informing policy decisions implementations shaping futures generations importantly reaffirming unwavering dedication principles justice equity fairness inclusivity excellence central tenets foundational cornerstones thriving vibrant societies enabling empowering transformative potentials inherent educational pursuits fundamentally transformative capacities driving progressive societal transformations underpinned strong resilient adaptive dynamic inclusive equitable just fair systems fostering environments nurturing aspirations ambitions dreams possibilities potentials harnessing unleashing creative innovative capacities fueling growth prosperity progress advancing human flourishing dignified fulfilling lives enriched experiences meaningful contributions positively impacting broader society enhancing collective well-being shared prosperity harmonious coexistence mutual respect understanding appreciation diversity richness humanity integral interconnected interdependent global community affirming commitment values principles guiding actions shaping destinies collectively striving better brighter future generations come enduring legacies lasting impacts positive transformative influences transcending boundaries limitations unlocking boundless possibilities potentials realizing fullest extents capabilities aspirations ambitions dreams envisioning co-creating better worlds together unified purpose shared vision collective action dedicated pursuit excellence equity justice fairness inclusivity sustainability resilience adaptability responsiveness continuous improvement relentless pursuit ideals aspirations embody highest standards integrity ethics professionalism service humanity enduring commitments uplifting enriching transforming lives empowering communities fostering inclusive equitable just societies ensuring dignity respect every individual core central mission fundamentally guiding endeavors shaping futures building legacies impacting lives profoundly positively significantly creating lasting positive changes transcending time space contextual specificities embracing universal timeless values principles defining hallmarks true greatness profound impact transcendent enduring significance

Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter

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