Letter to Members
Granholm, Stabenow top list of true friends of education
The
future of public education in
Michigan is at stake in the Nov. 7 general
election. That’s why it’s critical for
all MEA members—higher education
faculty, teachers and support staff—to
help elect friends of public education.
We strongly recommend the re-election of Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, true friends of public education.
The gubernatorial election is so critical, in fact, that it will set the tone for public education in Michigan for the next 10 to 20 years.
Public education tops Granholm’s agenda
Gov. Granholm has been a solid supporter
of public education and public
school employees. While other candidates
proclaim their support for public
education and then fail to follow through
once they’re elected, our governor has
always had public schools and the wellbeing
of Michigan children and families
at the top of her agenda.
The same can’t be said for her opponent,
an ardent supporter of vouchers
and other means of diverting
public school funds to private schools.
He led and personally financed the failed
voucher campaign in Michigan in 2000
and continues to give millions of dollars
to pro-voucher groups nationwide.
Gov. Granholm’s opponent also supports
the privatization of school support
staff jobs. He, in fact, cheered the privatization
of hundreds of Grand Rapids
school ESP positions and has encouraged
superintendents across Michigan
to outsource support jobs as a way of
cutting costs.
We have a friend in Washington
We also support the re-election of Sen.
Stabenow, who this summer received our
highest honor, the MEA Distinguished
Service Award, for her longtime support
of public education and MEA members.
In the Senate, Sen. Stabenow is leading
the fight to roll back massive cuts in
federal education funding and restore
the budget for higher education. She
deserves our vote on Nov. 7.
For a list of MEA-recommended candidates in Election 2006, including Gov. Granholm and Sen. Stabenow, turn to page 13 or visit www.meavotes.org.
Vote YES on Proposal 5, NO on 2
Three ballot proposals deserve our special attention on Nov. 7.
A YES vote on Proposal 5, the Educational Funding Guarantee, will provide annual inflation increases for public education—our K-12 school districts, and community colleges and universities.
Proposal 5 will provide a stable, reasonable source of funding that is critically needed to prepare our students for the technologically advanced, knowledge-based jobs needed in the global economy of the 21st century.
Vote NO on Proposal 2, the misguided Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Don’t be fooled by the name. This initiative has nothing to do with protecting or preserving civil rights. On the contrary, it would turn the clock back on affirmative action and strip away many opportunities for women and minorities. Send this deceitful proposal to the defeat it deserves with a NO vote.