Legislative Advocacy
Legislature Set to Reconvene: Both the House and Senate will reconvene after several weeks of hiatus on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 as required by the Michigan Constitution. Committee meetings will likely begin next week as well.
Remote Meetings Reminder: As a reminder, under changes to Michigan's Open Meetings Act passed late last year, after December 31, 2021, public bodies MUST meet in person, and may only continue to allow remote attendance by members of the governing body to allow for military service. There is no exception for medical circumstances, even if one or more members of your board are under a quarantine order. MCCA staff understand that given the current surge in cases, this law presents a tremendous challenge to community college boards of trustees in your safe operations, and we are working with our partners in local government and K-12 schools to push for a broader exception. Please contact your legislators directly to express your support for allowing remote participation under the Open Meetings Act during this current surge, particularly if your college is represented by members of the majority party.
Michigan New Jobs Training Program Hearing: On Thursday, January 13, at 9:00am, the House Workforce and Talent Development Committee will again take up House Bill 5527 (Griffin), which would double the cap on contracts under the Michigan New Jobs Training Program (MNJTP) from $50 million to $100 million. Many thanks to Dan Phelan of Jackson College and Chad Borodychuk of Lansing Community College for their testimony in support of the program last month, and to all of you who have spoken with your legislators about the importance of this program.
Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference Scheduled: The annual January Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference will take place this coming Friday, January 14, at 9:00am. Again this year, the conference will be held remotely, allowing the State Budget Office and House and Senate Fiscal Agencies to agree on revenue numbers that will guide the state's budget decision making over the next several months. All indications are that revenues will be up substantially from last May's estimate.
HELPFUL LINKS
Michigan Legislature’s website (bill tracking and committee meetings)
Michigan House of Representatives
Community College Legal Authority (Michigan Constitution)
For the map of the community college districts, click here.