Legislative News

Get the latest legislative information and how it will affect you.

Experts support MEA position on SB 618-624

Posted on 09/28/11 at 4:10pm

The Senate Education Committee heard testimony yesterday—both pro and con—on its so-called education reform package, SB 618-624. MEA’s opposition to the legislation was supported with testimony from Gary Miron, Western Michigan University education professor and national charter school expert, and Barbara Bonsignore, the Public Policy Director of Michigan AAUW.

Will Michigan meet Obama's new NCLB relief mandates?

Posted on 09/27/11 at 2:32pm

Michigan may have to reapply for a waiver to get relief from the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandate that all students be proficient on state tests by 2014. New waiver request forms are due Nov. 14; approval can be expected as early as January 2012. A second round of waivers is due February 2012.

Poll shows Michigan voters opposed to some Republican education proposals

Posted on 09/27/11 at 2:29pm

An EPIC-MRA news release today reports that 68 percent of Michigan voters are clearly opposed to the outsourcing of teachers to private companies, part of a Senate package of education reforms (SB 618-624).  And with other reforms getting mixed reactions, it sets the stage for a divisive public conversation on proposals generated by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Whitmer calls GOP fall agenda 'divisive and ill-conceived'

Posted on 09/23/11 at 11:22am

Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) criticized the Republican’s fall agenda as a “divisive and ill-conceived social agenda that again will do nothing to help get people back to work.”

Scott recall withstands racist claims, court appeal

Posted on 09/23/11 at 11:17am

Last week, Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc) accused Citizens Against Government Overreach of racist attacks when they kicked off the next phase of Scott’s recall with a cake bearing Scott’s likeness.  He also questioned whether MEA was involved in the incident.

Lansing politicians attack freedom of speech

Posted on 09/20/11 at 3:38pm

With a 4-2 vote, the House Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee adopted HB 4052 today and moved one step closer to restricting our rights to freedom of speech and association. The bill now goes to the full House.

Bolger vs. Snyder vs. Hammel

Posted on 09/19/11 at 1:40pm

During a live call-in program on Michigan Public Radio, it was apparent there were marked differences of opinion between House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall), Minority Leader Richard Hammel (D-Mount Morris Township) and Gov. Snyder.

New report shows "Right to Work" is wrong for Michigan

Posted on 09/19/11 at 1:36pm

In a new report released by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI),  ‘Right to work’: The wrong answer for Michigan’s economy, Gordon Lafer, a labor economist with the University of Oregon, says such legislation does nothing to encourage job growth and ends up lowering wages by an average of $1,500 per year. This is the case for union and non-union workers in right-to-work-states.

MEA President Cook on "Off the Record"

Posted on 09/19/11 at 1:04pm

MEA President Steven Cook

MEA President Steve Cook appeared on Michigan Public Television’s “Off the Record” last week and called out Republicans for their harmful decisions regarding public education in Michigan and set the record straight on MEA’s involvement in recall elections. 

“It’s actions by Republicans that are driving the recalls; it’s not the MEA. The MEA is not their only problem. Their problem is constituents upset about a business tax cut that gutted public education by $1 billion,” said President Cook.

Last week Sen. Randy Richardville, Senate Majority Leader (R-Monroe), announced his push for “Right to Work FOR LESS” legislation for teachers. He singled out the MEA for failing to represent its membership and failing to make financial sacrifices in these tough economic times. 

Political insiders say this is all retribution for the recall of Scott who voted to cut education funding, played a key role in changing tenure policies and supported slashing collective bargaining rights.

Richardville singles out public school employees for Right to Work FOR LESS bill

Posted on 09/09/11 at 11:35am

In what is probably one of the most blatant examples of anti-union, anti- school employee legislation yet, Sen. Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) says he supports right-to-work legislation that only affects public school employees and will have legislation ready soon.

In support of what looks like political payback for MEA’s recall efforts, Richardville said on PBS’s Off the Record, “The teachers union—specifically the Michigan Education Association—have lost their way and public school employees should no longer be forced to join them.”

Richardville singled out teachers unions because he claimed they haven’t recognized the state’s tough economic times like other unions have.

MEA President Steve Cook responded in a press statement this morning, “Republican leaders have slashed school funding, increased taxes, stripped collective bargaining rights from school employees, forced them to pay more out-of-pocket for retirement and health insurance. They’ve completely undermined and demoralized the educators of this state.”

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