EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart issued the following statement Wednesday in reaction to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address:

“The Michigan Education Association strongly supports Governor Whitmer’s proposal to finally eliminate Michigan’s unfair retirement tax. Michigan seniors cannot continue shouldering such a heavy burden while corporate special interests enjoy disproportionately low tax bills. We need real tax reform that levels the playing field for Michigan families and properly funds our children’s schools. Eliminating the unfair retirement tax on seniors is step in the right direction.”

Herbart also lauded the governor’s commitment to finding solutions for the educator shortage.

“Governor Whitmer continues to show she is listening to the voices of educators and is committed to solving Michigan’s acute educator shortage. For the sake of our children’s future, Michigan leaders must do more to attract and retain talented educators and school support staff — and that means increasing wages for starting and veteran educators, reducing our state’s overreliance on standardized testing and respecting educators for the professionals they are.”