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Tell lawmakers: Don't use $300 million in K-12 dollars on higher ed, community colleges
Since the recent announcement that the School Aid Fund now has $300 million more than anticipated, some lawmakers want to use the money to solve political problems.
The latest idea floating around Lansing is to take that $300 million, which would prevent further cuts to K-12 education next year, and use it instead to fund higher education and community colleges. While those are essential services that need funding, the money shouldn't come at the expense of K-12 students.
5 percent pay cut proposal still pending in state Senate
A proposed constitutional amendment to cut the pay of all public employees in the state by 5 percent is still pending in the Senate, but leaders are running short on time to get the issue through the Legislature in time for the August election.
The proposal would also mandate a three-year wage freeze for public employees.
Last month, the Senate Reforms and Restructuring Committee passed Senate Joint Resolution U, which will require a two-thirds majority in the Senate and House to pass. If passed by both chambers, it will go on the August primary ballot for voters to decide. If approved by voters, it would be implemented Oct. 1.
Please take five minutes to contact your state senator and urge him/her to oppose SJR U.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NEW RETIREMENT LAW (information revised as of May 20)
MEA has compiled list of frequently asked questions MEA members have posed related to the legislative action on May 13 regarding an early retirement incentive and school employee pension changes. The answers below are meant to provide you with what MEA believes to be the latest and most accurate information; however, for your specific situation, you should seek guidance from the Office of Retirement Services (ORS) directly.
New poll finds huge support for real government reforms – not more gimmicks
April 20, 2010 - When it comes to solving Michigan’s budget problem, voters say they’d rather elect lawmakers who want to audit government contracts and close ineffective tax loopholes than legislators who want to use games and gimmicks to balance the budget on the backs of public school employees, according to a new poll.
Ninety-one percent of voters surveyed said they support auditing $16 billion worth of government contracts and 72 percent support ending ineffective business tax breaks, according to a poll released Monday by Lansing-based EPIC-MRA. The majority of voters would be more likely to vote for legislators who voted to enact these proposals (77 and 56 percent, respectively).
Updated: June 10, 2010 5:59 PM
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