Current Legislation

Big votes expected Today -- we need your help!

Lawmakers are expected to vote today on separate proposals that strip local school districts of big decisions related to health care costs and privatization.

MEA staff and leaders are at the Capitol today to lobby against these bills -- and your legislative contacts are vital to our efforts to derail or modify these bills.

The state House today approved deep cuts for public education, slashing nearly $1 billion from K-12 schools statewide and 15 percent from community college and university budgets.

The House voted 57-53 for House Bill 4325 (see how your representative voted). Under the plan, K-12 districts will receive hundreds less in state aid per pupil for 2011-12 to pay for huge tax breaks for business.

While this vote is very disappointing, the budget battle isn't over. The House and Senate now must reconcile competing funding plans. We continue to work around the clock to try to stop the GOP-controlled Legislature from cutting vital education funding that helps students, but we need your help!

In a much-anticipated special address on education, Gov. Rick Snyder today called for sweeping changes to improve public schools – including merit pay, tenure changes, more charter schools and more online learning – yet failed to provide any direction about how schools will be able to do more without adequate funding.

Current budget proposals for K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities call for hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts from the state – cuts that will directly impact student achievement, which Snyder says must improve or schools and educators will face severe penalties.

MEA President Iris K. Salters said Snyder’s long list of ideas along with major budget cuts “simply doesn’t make sense.” In a press release, Salters described Snyder’s proposal to base school funding on student performance as “counterproductive.”

Related:

Latest news on education funding

What you need to know about tenure proposals

MEA president responds to governor’s special message on education

EAST LANSING, Mich., April 27, 2011 –Against a backdrop of drastic cuts to education funding, Gov. Rick Snyder revealed his education plan for Michigan today, covering a variety of topics including early childhood education, teacher training, tenure, merit pay, charter schools and more.

Talking points on key legislation

 The following key points are helpful when communicating with colleagues, policymakers, and others. Use these “talking points” to jump start an association meeting, a letter to the editor, or a conversation with community members or a legislator.