MEA Resources for Census 2020
Higher-ed protest by MEA & labor allies part of national action
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor (L-R) NEA Secretary-Treasurer Noel Candelaria, NCHE President Alec Thomson, MEA Vice President Brett Smith, NCHE Vice President Marcia Mackey Nearly 30 years from the start of his labor activism as a graduate student organizer, MEA member Alec Thomson returned to his union origins on the campus of Wayne State University on Tuesday to protest…
Students need recess for academic, emotional and physical wellness
By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO As we shake off the winter blues and welcome the sunshine and warmth of spring, let’s think back to our childhoods and how it felt to go outside for recess in April without a winter coat. Think of how the sun felt on your face and how the fresh air smelled.…
MEA praises MI Senate’s legal action to rein in rising health care costs for educators and other public employees
UPDATE 4/2: In response to the Senate's legal action, the Court of Claims judge said that she would not issue a ruling but instead urged the Supreme Court to accept the bypass application to issue a final ruling in the matter. The Supreme Court denied the bypass application but has ordered the Court of Appeals to expedite their consideration of…
School walk-ins focus attention on threats to public education
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA members were joined by parents, students and other community allies in the early morning hours in front of Union High School in Grand Rapids. MEA members were joined by parents, students and other community allies in conducting Walk-Ins to Protect Public Schools across the state on Wednesday as part of a nationwide collective…
ICYMI: House GOP passes budget proposing 25% cut to schools
Within minutes of being unveiled last week, House Republicans passed a budget proposal that would cut $5 billion from public education – a loss of almost 25% compared to the current year. According to House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp), the bill is meant to keep essential services going during a potential state government shutdown – but Senate Majority Leader…
Sign petition calling for held bills to be presented by House
On March 12, House Republicans passed a resolution stating they would not present Gov. Whitmer with nine bills being held from December’s “lame duck” session – including HB 6058, which would lower skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for public employee health insurance. At the same time, under the leadership of Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp), the House GOP caucus appealed a judge’s…
Michigan ed leaders support lawsuit challenging cuts to federal special education services
In response to Thursday’s filing of a federal lawsuit from 21 attorneys general from across the nation challenging the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi; AFT-Michigan President Terrence Martin; Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators Executive Director Tina Kerr; Michigan Association of School Boards Executive Director Don Wotruba; and Abby Cypher,…
Efforts build to oppose education cuts in Michigan
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Mike Cook, a career and technical education (CTE) teacher in Redford, is concerned about what schools, students, and communities will lose if efforts continue to shutter the U.S. Department of Education. Over a long career—first in the U.S. Army and now as a teacher in the career and technical education (CTE) field—MEA member Mike…
Educators join Day of Action to raise awareness of threats to public education
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor First-year teacher Alexandra McCloskey braved cold and rain to join the national “Protect our Kids” Day of Action to raise awareness of serious threats to public education. Under gray skies and cold wet weather—at the end of a long day in the classroom—first-year teacher Alexandra McCloskey stood in a puddle on a pedestrian overpass…