LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The state House of Representatives met for a special session today. It was the first meeting for the lawmakers since passing the budget in June and the last scheduled session until after the election.
With all 110 seats up for reelection this November, the representatives have been in their home districts campaigning.
A few different bills were introduced to the House floor. After facing widespread criticism for cuts in this year’s education budget, House Democrats introduced a bill package that would make changes to the teacher pension contributions in this year’s budget permanent, and move dollars into different funding pools to allow schools to use the money more flexibly. Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) said the bills were created with direct feedback from administrators and educators.
“We’re making this a significant investment for our teachers and our students. Rural and city schools are going to receive the money they need for classroom safety and these critical mental health resources.” Hill said. “I’m proud to say that the Michigan Democrats are following up and keeping Yoopers involved and engaged, and we’re going to keep our schools strong.”
Representative Dave Prestin (R-Rapid River) said he thinks the session is a political statement, allowing Democrats to pass a few more pieces of legislation before the election.
“The bill that they’re going to run doesn’t even restore full funding. It doesn’t even restore 50% of it. I think it’s a disingenuous effort.” Prestin said. “If we were serious about doing legislative fixes, we’d be working in a bipartisan way. We’d be attacking corrections right off the bat. We would have fully restored funding for mental health and for our school resource officers.”
Another new piece of legislation called Jordan D’s Law, would criminalize sextortion and introduce more resources for students and teachers. Named after 17-year-old Marquette native, Jordan DeMay, who took his own life in 2022 after being tricked into sending explicit photos of himself to someone posing as a girl online. DeMay’s father said the bill is carrying on Jordan’s legacy, and protecting other children from experiencing what he went through.
With just a day to address a month of legislation from the seenate, the House left behind bills that would attempt to create relief for the staffing crisis in michigan corrections facilities. The representatives also have until February to introduce and pass a new minimum wage law that would stop incoming changes to tipped wages that are unpopular among restaurant workers.
While the Senate is still holding regular sessions, the fate of the House will depend on the outcome of the November election. Democrats currently hold a majority by just two seats, giving Republicans will have a chance to regain control. If that happens, it’s expected Dems will attempt to return to the House to finish whatever work they can before power changes hands.
