Yesterday, Gov. Whitmer proposed a $20.9 billion education budget for the coming year — continuing a string of historic funding increases that, if enacted by the Legislature, would total a 22% increase since she took office four years ago. This long-needed funding sets up students, educators and schools for success in the long term. Note […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Sen. Dayna Polehanki called it “our first victory for public education” resulting from the Democratic trifecta voters put in place with last November’s election — which is the first time in 40 years the party has controlled the state House, Senate and governor’s office. Shortly before the new Legislature […]
◼ Allow public employers to pay a greater share of health insurance costs (beyond the current 80% or hard cap limitations) to improve school employee take home pay. ◼ Repeal the pension tax that reduces the retirement security of school employees and others seniors across Michigan. ◼ Work with employers to increase wages for all […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer energized the MEA Winter Conference in Detroit on Friday with a heartening message to a capacity crowd that she described as “the fiercest warriors there are, the people that make a difference in so many lives every single day, who are too often under-thanked and under-appreciated: […]
Issues important to Michigan educators took centerstage Wednesday evening as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her annual State of the State address at the State Capitol. Among several major announcements, Whitmer called on the Legislature to provide funding — before spring break — for her “MI Kids Back on Track” tutoring proposal, which would provide extra […]
Editor’s note: Lawmakers need to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to contact your state senator and representative and urge them to support Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to repeal the unfair tax on retired educators’ pensions. After a long 11 years, retired educators may soon experience relief from the unfair retirement tax imposedon them […]
Voters across the political spectrum want greater investment in school safety, higher pay for educators and expanded access to mental health services EAST LANSING – Michigan voters say public education should be a key priority for state lawmakers, according to a new survey of registered voters released Tuesday by the Michigan Education Association. Michigan voters […]
With a new year upon us, brighter days are ahead for our kids and schools, thanks to elected leaders who are committed to addressing the challenges facing public education and putting Michigan on a path to prosperity. There’s cause for optimism. On top of the record, bipartisan education budget passed last summer by Gov. Gretchen […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Education policies pursued for the past two decades in Michigan have ignored the needs of rural school districts, which has reduced opportunities for students and stymied community development in areas facing serious economic hardship, a new study has found. School reforms favored by policymakers over the past 20 years […]
EAST LANSING – On Jan. 4, 2004, lifelong school bus driver Bob Hanchek made a stop on his afternoon route along U.S. 41 in the North Central Area Schools district in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula. With red lights flashing and two of his 15 riders coming up the aisle to exit, Hanchek recognized a big […]
