Michigan Gov. Whitmer Signs School Payroll Legislation

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed House Bill 5803 into law, which permanently reduces the payroll contribution rates for Michigan school districts to the Public School Employee Retirement System by 5.75% and eliminates a 3% health care contribution for many public school employees. The legislation is expected to return approximately $600 million to schools, enabling districts to allocate funds more effectively towards education and support for teachers and students. This bipartisan bill was championed by Rep. Matt Koleszar and has garnered positive responses from educational leaders, although it faced criticism from GOP lawmakers who accused it of undermining teachers' retirement funds. In a separate initiative, Whitmer is set to sign bills that would unionize home caregivers, reclassifying them as state employees and allowing the Service Employees International Union to collect dues from their Medicaid reimbursements. Opposition to the caregiver legislation highlights concerns over the impact on family members providing care and the potential for forced unionization, despite a Supreme Court ruling protecting employees' rights not to join unions. These legislative actions reflect ongoing debates over education funding and labor rights in Michigan.