Get the latest from Lansing
Multiple “back home” Lobby Days
Check back for updates on ongoing legislative crisis
Ed funding on State Board agenda
MEA president testifies
March 10, 2011 - MEA President Iris K. Salters asked members of the State Board of Education on Tuesday for help in fixing Michigan’s broken education funding system.
“We believe that every student in Michigan deserves a great public education and we have a vested interest in ensuring that our schools excel at providing that in a sustainable way for generations to come,” Salters said.
Salters’ comments came during the final State Board-sponsored public forum on education funding. Board members plan to make recommendations in April about how Michigan should remake its education-related revenue base, investment priorities, and spending reforms.
Read: Iris K. Salters’ remarks to the State Board of Education.
February 2, 2010 - Last Friday, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced yet another attack on public workers, this time calling on school employees to pay even more out of pocket for retirement and pushing veteran teachers and other educators to retire before they're ready. Her final State of the State address on Wednesday night promises to continue her calls for this "reform" -- which is really just another gimmick that won't actually fix the state's antiquated tax structure and broken school funding system. Read more.
Salters in The Detroit News: Race to the Top fails students
January 27, 2010 - Following Michigan's submission of its Race to the Top application for federal school money, many have been quick to point a finger of blame.
Legislature passes K-12 budget with $165 per pupil cut
Late Thursday night, the state House and Senate passed the K-12 budget for 2009-10 with a $165 per pupil cut, a smaller reduction than the initial proposal of $218 per pupil.
The budget also continues to fund several key programs, including early childhood and at-risk programs, but that doesn't mean those programs are off the hook. Lawmakers gave school districts the option of cutting them at the local level and using the money allocated to them somewhere else. And the reality is, the size of the per pupil cuts may make it necessary for local districts to cut some of the very programs that make them most successful.
In a press statement, MEA President Iris K. Salters praised the thousands of public school supporters whose vocal opposition to education cuts prevented the worst from coming to pass. "But the lack of a full investment in public schools is disturbing, especially since the vast majority of our legislators ran for office touting the importance of education to our economic recovery," Salters said.
She called on the Legislature to begin work now on addressing anticipated shortfalls in next year's budget by updating Michigan's antiquated tax structure and implementing tax reforms to stabilize funding for schools.
“It’s time to invest in our state. It’s time to invest in our schools. MEA is proud to have been part of leading that charge during this budget debate and we’re proud to commit today to continuing that fight because of our solemn belief that the key to our economic future is preparing our students for the jobs Michigan needs.”
Related:
News Release: MEA President comments on K-12 budget resolution
District-by-district impact of $165 per pupil cut
Tax incentives: Michigan taxpayers deserve info, transparency
State prepping application for federal stimulus funds
MEA working to address concerns about some unproven reforms
As the deadline for states to apply for competitive stimulus funds for schools draws nearer, it’s unclear how much money will make its way into Michigan classrooms – and what strings might be attached to that investment.
MEA has been working with the Michigan Department of Education and lawmakers on several reforms related to the state’s effort to secure a portion of $4.35 billion in federal money intended to help schools.
The money is part of the federal stimulus packaged signed into law in February. Nearly $54 billion was earmarked for education, including $4.35 billion to be awarded through competitive grants under the “Race to the Top” program.
A look into the crystal ball: Taxpayers on the hook for state-run health plans
If you're wondering what a worst-case scenario might be for House Bill 5345, the proposed Michigan Health Benefits Plan, look no further than North Carolina.
This year, taxpayers will pay $250 million to bail out their state-run health plan. In two years, that number will rise to $678 million because of cost overruns and little or no oversight.
Are Michigan taxpayers ready to do the same? Can we afford to take that chance?
Reform proposals on legislative agenda
While the budget and House Bill 5345 remain on the front burner, you also need to know about two other packages of bills that would impact public education.
Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills, is the primary sponsor of legislation that would affect so-called “failing schools.” MEA supports House Bills 4787, 4788 and 4789 as a package -- as passed by the House.
Other legislation, primarily sponsored by Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, would create new “neighborhood public schools.” MEA opposes Senate Bills 636, 637 and 638.
Updated: March 11, 2010 8:25 PM
Talking Points on State Budget
Talking Points on School Reform
Make your voice heard on the MEA Votes Blog or MEA's Facebook page