State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) speaks at the “Protecting Michigan Workers” press conference in Sterling Heights on Jan. 21, 2025.
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Jan. 22, 2025 — State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) was joined by stakeholders at a press conference yesterday to condemn House Republicans’ refusal to present House Bill 6058 to the Governor’s desk. The legislation, which passed both the Michigan House and Senate in December, would provide immediate relief for public employees from high health insurance costs and combat future increases in those costs for workers in their families. The legislation is one of nine bills House Republicans are currently holding hostage from being presented to the Governor.
“It is unacceptable that House Republicans are choosing to harm thousands of public employees across the state by holding back this bill,” Xiong said. “High health care costs have long burdened Michigan’s public employees who provide invaluable services for our communities. My legislation gives them the breathing room they and their families need. I will not stop fighting to ensure this legislation is presented to the Governor to put money back into the pockets of working people.”
Stakeholders from organizations representing teachers, municipal workers and law enforcement professionals attended the press conference to express their support for the legislation, emphasizing that it will help retain and recruit public employees.
“It is unconscionable that Speaker Hall is putting petty politics ahead of the working lives of our school employees, who are already overwhelmed by health care costs,” said Bob Callendar, President of the Warren Education Association. “Ultimately, our students and communities suffer the most as the best and brightest educators continue to leave the profession they love because they can no longer afford to remain. Under Gov. Whitmer’s leadership, we’ve made huge gains in this area — but without House Bill 6058, all those gains can be undone.”
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