Education Budgets Moving in Legislature

UPDATED May 23 Countering historic budget proposals from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the state House and Senate have approved separate school spending recommendations for the 2022-23 school year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had proposed an $18.4 billion education budget that invests heavily in student wellness and educator recruitment and retention. The Senate passed a $17.9 billion school […]

Educators have a powerful, trusted voice — so let’s use it!

Despite what some far-right politicians and cable news talking heads might want you to believe, the public trusts educators more than just about anyone else — and that’s why educators should stand up and make their voices heard. According to Gallup’s annual Honesty and Ethics of Professions survey, educators rank No. 3 on the list […]

We Must Advocate and We are Not Alone

Amid critical educator shortages, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is focused on delivering support and resources in her proposed education budget for next fiscal year with plans to use ongoing state revenue increases to shore up public schools as they respond to ongoing effects of the pandemic. In contrast, Republican leaders in the House and Senate issued […]

MEA Part of New Coalition Opposing DeVos’ Voucher Petition Scheme

Michigan educators, parents and families have formed a new coalition opposing Betsy DeVos’ latest school voucher petition drive, and the coalition is actively seeking supporters to help stop this new scheme in its tracks. Public education advocates announced the coalition, called For MI Kids, For Our Schools, at a virtual media event Wednesday. MEA is […]

MEA Members Share Reasons Behind Educator Shortages

Several MEA members, including Michigan Teacher of the Year Leah Porter, testified last week at a hearing on the varied causes behind growing educator shortages before the Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education. The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Brad Paquette (R-Niles), heard wide-ranging explanations for why educators are leaving the profession and […]

Ask Whitmer to veto tax break for wealthy, invest in kids instead

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 urge Whitmer to veto tax break for corporations and the wealthy

State leaders should invest in children, working families and seniors in need LANSING —Michigan’s education unions issued the following statement Thursday urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to veto Senate Bill 768, which would provide tax breaks for Michigan’s wealthiest individuals and corporations while causing drastic budget shortfalls for students and educators. The following can be attributed […]