LANSING, Mich. — Legislation that would repeal Michigan’s teacher tenure law, limit automatic step pay increases and require public employees to pay 20 to 25 percent of their health care benefit costs all were introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives in recent weeks.
The bills were reported at MichiganVotes.org, the legislative tracking service of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. The Mackinac Center also publishes Michigan Education Digest.
Rep. Bill Rogers, R-Brighton, introduced House Bill 4241 on Feb. 10, which would repeal Michigan’s teacher tenure law. Critics say the law makes it too difficult to remove ineffective teachers from the classroom. The bill was referred to the House Education Committee.
In other education matters, House Bill 4152 would establish that when a contract between a school district and an employee union has expired, employees would not receive step pay increases until a new contract has been negotiated. Also, any increase in health benefit costs during the negotiating period would be paid by the employees. Rep. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy, introduced the legislation on Jan. 26, and it is has been referred to the House Education Committee.
Rep. Jeff Farrington, R-Utica, introduced legislation to require government employees, including school district employees, to contribute at least 25 percent to the cost of a family health care plan and 20 percent toward an individual plan provided by the employer. House Bill 4172 was referred to the House Government Operations Committee.
SOURCES:
Michigan Votes, House Bill 4172 (Mandate 20 percent government
employee health benefit contribution), Feb. 1, 2011
House Bill 4241 (Repeal “teacher tenure” law), Feb. 10, 2011
House Bill 4152 (Limit certain automatic government union employee pay hikes), Jan. 26, 2011
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “A
Teacher Quality Primer: Reforming Teacher Tenure Practices,” June 30, 2008
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.