- Senate Passes SB 911 Codifying the MPSERS Rate Reduction
- MASB Legislative Priority Meetings are Coming to Your Region
- Urge Consideration of Legislation to Address Teen Vaping
Senate Passes SB 911 Codifying the MPSERS Rate Reduction
On Tuesday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 911, which makes the MPSERS 5.75% rate reduction permanent for school districts, by a vote of 20-16. SB 911 also eliminates the 3% employee contribution, resulting in the equivalent of a 3% pay raise for those employees who are currently paying those costs; and it changes current law, allowing the $670 million to be freed from having to be deposited into the overfunded MPSERS retiree healthcare system. The rate reduction is included in the budget this year and will become permanent on October 1, 2025.
MASB joined with other statewide education organizations in issuing a statement thanking the Senate for its action. Your advocacy was crucial to the reinvestment of the MPSERS funds into the classroom. We urge you to contact your State Representative and ask them to vote in support of this bill when it is brought before them on September 25.
MASB Legislative Priority Meetings are Coming to Your Region
Legislative Priority Setting Meetings are scheduled throughout the state in September, October and November. These meetings bring together board members, superintendents and MASB’s Government Relations staff to brainstorm your Association’s focus for the 2024-2025 legislative session.
All events are free and start at 7 p.m. Eastern Time unless otherwise noted. Please join us and encourage your local colleagues—board members and superintendents alike—to participate in these important events. MASB’s legislative agenda is only as strong as the number of voices that create it. If you can’t attend the day of your region’s meeting, feel free to attend another one that is convenient for you.
You can find a complete list of all the regional meetings and links to the free registration on our website. If you have any questions, please contact the Government Relations Team.
Urge Consideration of Legislation to Address Teen Vaping
Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance coalition continues to push Senate Bills 647-654. This legislation addresses the use of, advertising of, and sale of tobacco products to minors. 30% of Michigan High Schoolers have reported vaping which contains addictive nicotine and can be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs.
SB 647-HB 650 repeals Michigan’s ban on local governments from passing policies that regulate the sale of tobacco and nicotine products and establishes a new tax on e-cigarettes. This new revenue would specifically be used for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. HB 649 and HB 650 will make flavored tobacco, rolling papers and filters illegal. Bubble gum and cotton candy flavors would be illegal in an effort to make vaping less attractive to youth.
SB 651-HB 654 would establish fines for retailers who sell to minors and modify the Purchase, Use, Possession (PUP Laws). Retailers who violate these laws would be fined $1,500 for the first violation. If four violations are found in a 36-month period, the retailer will be fined, and their license will be revoked.
MASB supports and believes that these bills are important to the health and well-being of our youth. Please consider drafting a Resolution of Support for the Protect Mi Kids Bill Package. A draft resolution is available for your board to consider passing in support of this legislation.