Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders announced a deal on Monday evening to address the current year (Fiscal Year 2020) budget shortfall in part by allocating funds from the federal CARES Act sent to Michigan earlier this year. Monday’s announcement only deals with the current year budget gap – this does nothing to solve next […]
EAST LANSING — Following more than 15,000 survey responses from educators and discussions about the needs of both students and school employees, today MEA announced three key priorities the state’s largest education union feels must be fully addressed as we look toward safely returning to school buildings this fall. As our mission indicates, we believe […]
If the economic damage wrought by the coronavirus pandemic goes unchecked, the nation stands to lose 1.89 million education jobs over the next three years, according to a new analysis by the National Education Association. Stated another way, we could lose one-fifth of the workforce that powers public schools and higher education institutions. Those cuts […]
There are hundreds of state boards, committees, commissions, councils and task forces that Gov. Whitmer needs to make appointments to – many of which impact the day-to-day lives of Michigan’s children and educators. If you’re interested in being appointed to one of these state posts, you can apply online at www.michigan.gov/appointments. Some of the positions […]
Last Friday’s virtual rally – viewed by thousands of people – reinforced the need for federal action to help schools prevent pandemic-driven budget cuts. Watch a new video with highlights from the rally, including supportive comments from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters – and be sure to contact your members of Congress to urge passage of the $175 […]
UPDATE: The State Senate passed SB 945 unanimously on Thursday, June 4. The bill now heads to the State House for their consideration. A bill to require incoming law enforcement officers to receive training on implicit bias, de-escalation techniques, and mental health screening has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature. MEA is supporting this legislation […]
Educators, parents, students, community members participate in ‘virtual rally,’ urging Congress to make Michigan’s students top priority LANSING — Thousands of Michigan educators, parents, students and community members today called for federal relief for education amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic during a Facebook Live “virtual rally.” The Our Children, Our Future coalition urged Congress to […]
While so much about the near future remains uncertain, one thing could not be more clear: Going forward our schools and our students will need more support – not drastic funding cuts. To get the help our students need, it’s time to raise our voices together in a virtual rally this Friday at 5 p.m.! Without […]
Friday’s announcement of an over $6 billion pandemic-driven hole in the state budget reinforced the urgency of getting help from Congress to help maintain essential services, like public education. Following relief for big businesses like airlines and cruise operators, it’s time for the federal government to help schools and other state-funded essentials deal with the […]
On Friday, Gov. Whitmer announced the creation of a new Return to Learning Advisory Council – comprised of students, parents, frontline educators, administrators and public health officials – to formalize a process for how schools can safely reopen. “It’s critical we bring together experts in health care and education, as well as students, educators, and […]
