Tell Lansing to finish funding schools for this year

After nearly a month of stop-and-start discussions between the Governor’s office and the Legislature, schools are still without critical funding needed for this current school year. MEA members need to contact all our lawmakers and urge them to reach agreement on supplemental budget bills that fund priorities that were cut last month because of the lack of a comprehensive solution to the budget.

In particular, these areas need to be funded to provide students with the educational opportunities they deserve:

  • $7 million for isolated school districts (HB 5093/SB 575).
  • $350,000 on a pilot program to train 60 providers on autism treatment (HB 5082/SB 552).
  • $10.5 million for the state to cover the full cost of tripling the number of literacy coaches, rather than splitting the costs with ISDs (SB 577).
  • $110 million to fund the first two years of Michigan Reconnect program (SB 577).
  • Plus additional funding for at-risk education programs, providing additional resources for some of our students who need it most.

These areas – plus many more – would have received funding through Gov. Whitmer’s budget proposal this spring. However, real negotiations with GOP legislative leaders didn’t happen over the summer months leading to the governor using line-item vetoes to bring everyone back to the table. Members need to contact everyone involved and stress that those discussions need to be had and resolved quickly.

Legislation

Releated

MEA praises lawmakers for passing additional mental health funding and relief for educators

EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association today praised state lawmakers for approving a supplemental education budget providing $125 million in additional funding for school safety and student mental health, as well for passing legislation permanently ending the state’s 3% tax on public school employees. MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland […]

MEA statement on MI Senate’s passage of financial relief for educators and schools

EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County: “The Michigan Education Association applauds the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 911, which will permanently end the state’s 3% tax on more than 100,000 veteran teachers and school support staff. “Our […]