Newsroom

MEA praises MI Senate’s legal action to rein in rising health care costs for educators and other public employees
The Michigan Education Association commended the Michigan Senate for standing up for educators after the Senate formally requested that a judge order the delivery of already-passed legislation to the governor for her signature. Among the nine bills the House has failed to present to the governor — despite having already passed both the House and Senate — is House Bill…

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…

Lansing union launches ‘LSEA Safe’ campaign
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Regina Bluemlein In a time of heightened anxieties across the country, the Lansing Schools Education Association has launched a campaign to routinely remind young people of one core message: educators can be relied upon to protect, nurture and teach them. The “LSEA Safe” campaign followed on the heels of the district’s school board adopting…

Wear #RedForEd for national Day of Action on Tuesday
On Tuesday, March 4, join educators across Michigan in wearing #RedForEd as part of the national Protect Our Kids Day of Action. Help raise awareness about the importance of federal education funding for our students amid efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. A collaborative effort between NEA, AFT, AROS, Mom’s Rising and the Working Families Party, the goal…

Victory in Senate lawsuit vs. House on hold-up of HB 6058
On Thursday, the state Senate was victorious in their lawsuit against the House to compel the presentation of bills being held back from the governor – including HB 6058, which works to reduce skyrocketing out-of-pocket health insurance costs for educators and other public employees. Court of Appeals Judge Sima Patel ruled in favor of Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and the Michigan…