State budget office is presenting the Governor’s budget today. Includes a proposed 4.1% increase to the per-pupil allowance, at-risk funding, special education, ELL & CTE #miched #mileg

MASB’s Board of Directors President James Johnson and our members on the NSBA Board, including President Don Hubler, had a chance to chat with both of our Senators.

Senate Breakfast continued with @SenGaryPeters telling members to “lock arms and make some noise” against the threats to public education and its funding. #standupforpublicschools.

Our delegates to @NSBAPublicEd attended the Michigan Senate Breakfast on the Hill. @SenatorSlotkin spoke to the group, thanking them for their service & urging them to share their stories w/their Congressperson. #standup4publicschools

Joined w/ @nyschoolboards & @CTAssocBdsofEd on a panel of state associations’ lobbyists at @NSBAPublicEd Advocacy conference. Talking about how our states handle education policy issues & funding problems facing public schools.

Michigan school board members taking part in MASB’s Welcome Event, kicking off the annual @NSBAPublicEd’s Advocacy & Equity Institute. Again we are the largest delegation, with over 90 members. #standup4publicschools

Legislature is done for the year. What did they do or not do? Check out our update.

In hour 24, the Senate passed 6 bills aimed at school safety were passed w/bipartisan votes. HB4094-4095: common emergency terminology, HB 5549: behavioral threat assessment teams, HB5659-5660, codify school safety & mental health commission #mileg

Senate just passed #HB6058 which makes changes to PA152, raising the hard cap amount and making 80/20 a floor instead of a ceiling. It now goes to the Governor. Session is in hour 20. #mileg

The Senate has discharged more than 70 bills from committees for consideration today. Before midnight it was rumored they’d be done by 4 am. At the rate they are going now, it might be 4 pm. #mileg

After doing a Call of the House to try to force all Representatives to the Chamber, the Speaker abruptly adjourned for the day. House will return Dec 31 after doing nothing this week. Senate is currently in caucus meetings. #mileg

House passed series of bills aimed at vaping & minors access to tobacco. Creates a licensing structure to sell tobacco & meaningful penalties for selling to minors #hb6002 #miched

HB6058 passes with 56 Dem votes. Now goes to the Senate for action next week. #miched

House debating #hb6058 making changes to PA152 which covers health care costs for public employers & employees, including schools. Waiting to see final version but will raise the hard cap & may change 80/20 option. #miched

MASB member @MattShowalter11 testified in support of closing the dark store loophole, as a school board member and an assessor. Putting a constituent and citizens face on the impact of this problem. #HB5865-5868 #miched

We support the bills to close the dark store loophole, along w/many other education groups. This is a growing problem for schools & local Govs who rely on property tax revenues to operate. #miched #mileg

House Tax Policy Comm talking about #hb5865-5868 to close dark store loophole for property tax assessments, a way for big box stores to get their tax bill lowered by comparing value to closed stores. Cutting operating $ for schools & communities #miched

House Education approved 2 bills we’ve been watching: #sb463, requiring FAFSA completion to graduate HS, with a optout and #sb285 to make kindergarten mandatory for 5 year olds. #lameduck #miched

As lame duck keeps moving, here’s a quick update from our Director of Government Relations, @cutshawsmith