Further cuts to K-12 budget highlight need for reform

EAST LANSING, Mich., Oct. 19, 2009 – Regarding Governor Granholm’s action on the K-12 budget, the following can be attributed to MEA President Iris K. Salters:

“This afternoon, Governor Granholm signed the K-12 budget, but chose to make $54 million in additional cuts through line item vetoes.  These cuts were caused by a lack of action from the Legislature to come up with promised new revenue and make necessary changes to our state’s outdated tax structure.

“These further cuts – and the threat of more on the horizon as revenue estimates continue to shrink – underscore the need for immediate and fundamental reform in the way we fund our public schools and other critical services in our state.  

“We have a chronic budget problem – and cuts aren’t making it go away. After a decade of budget shortfalls and cuts, we still lack the necessary resources to invest in our state and our future. In fact, the Legislature knowingly passed this K-12 budget with $100 million in spending for which they still have not found revenue sources. That’s on top of the cut of $165 per pupil it contained in the first place.

“Our leaders in Lansing must see the governor’s actions as a call for real solutions to our budget woes. Legislators have less than a year to address our antiquated tax structure and build a new one that helps Michigan face the challenges of a 21st century economy. The simple fact is that we need tax reform that leads to stable, predictable and sufficient revenue to pay for the services we all want – sturdy roads and bridges, police and fire protection, clean air and water, health care and especially, world class public schools for our students.

“We cannot do that without making education a priority. For too long, we have shortchanged our future to fund tax incentives and loopholes that have not brought long-term economic growth to Michigan. We have given massive tax breaks on the promise they would bring economic prosperity and jobs – but that promise went unfulfilled.

“It’s time to invest in our state. It’s time to invest in our schools. It’s time to invest in the one proven road to a better future – public education.”

 Contact Kerry Birmingham, MEA Communications, 248-421-7222

 “The mission of the MEA is to ensure that the education of our students and the working environments of our members are of the highest quality.”

Updated: October 20, 2009 10:10 AM