State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) speaks on Senate Bill 911 on the House Floor on June 27, 2024, in the Michigan Capitol Building.
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 18, 2024 — The Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 911, which makes permanent the lowering of the Michigan Public Schools Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) fund contribution rate in the most recent state budget. The legislation reduces schools’ contribution to the fund and also relieves certain teachers who did not opt out of retirement health of having to pay 3% of their salary for retirement benefits. State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), chair of the House Education Committee and sponsor of the House’s version of this bill, House Bill 5803, issued the following statement in celebration of the Senate’s passage:
“Senate Bill 911 puts money back into classrooms and teachers’ pockets, where it belongs. This bill, similar to my companion bill, will undo punitive Republican rules meant to hamstring public schools under the guise of fiscal responsibility. For years, schools have been forced to overpay into the retirement fund, stealing dollars away from resources that could have supported kids, parents and teachers. This mismanagement has only led to underfunded classrooms and a statewide teacher shortage.
“Uplifting public schools is one of my absolute top priorities, and part of prioritizing education is properly funding it. Our kids and teachers deserve the resources and support they need to succeed. This bill will put money directly back into classrooms, and keep more of teachers’ earnings in their pockets. By reducing the retirement fund contribution rate, we are opening doors to increasing teacher wages, expanding school programs and enhancing the quality of our education system.
“As a teacher-turned-legislator, I am proud to see the Senate’s passage of smart legislation that creates a new avenue for us to invest in Michigan’s public schools for years to come.”
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