Our state’s elected leaders should invest in children, seniors and working families in need — and that’s why we’re calling on MEA members to contact the governor’s office and urge her to veto Senate Bill 768, which would provide tax breaks for Michigan’s wealthiest individuals and corporations and cause drastic budget shortfalls for students and educators.

Passed last week on largely party lines as an election-year stunt, SB 768 gives Michigan’s wealthiest corporations and individuals a $2.5 billion tax cut. This irresponsible, unsustainable tax giveaway will cause shortfalls for education funding at a time when students and schools can least afford it.

“Michigan children, families and seniors need real tax reform that levels the playing field for everyday people and properly funds our children’s schools,” MEA President Paula Herbart and AFT Michigan President David Hecker said in a joint statement. “Rather than giving Michigan’s wealthiest corporations and individuals a $2.5 billion tax break they don’t need, our state’s leaders should work together to repeal Michigan’s unfair retirement tax on seniors, expand the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families, and provide much-needed investments in schools to address student mental health and the educator shortage.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has indicated that’s she likely to veto this harmful corporate tax cut, but she needs to hear from educators! Please contact the governor’s office and urge her to veto SB 768 and keep fighting to put Michigan students, families and seniors first by advocating for her historic education budget recommendations.