Letter to Members
Politicians showing how NOT to run state government
What we’ve seen from politicians in
Lansing over the last four months easily
could fill a textbook entitled, “How NOT to
Run State Government.”
We’re in the midst of the most severe financial crisis this state has ever seen, a crisis that will harm public education and Michigan’s long-range economic prosperity, but the politicians seem content to let the crisis grow even greater at the expense of our families and students.
In fact, some of these calculating politicians seem bent on making moves they believe will assure their re-election in 2008 rather than taking the bold action needed now to solve Michigan’s financial mess. Incalculable harm will come to Michigan families and the children we serve in our classrooms every day if this political gamesmanship continues.
As of mid-May, our schools faced end-ofthe- year $125 per pupil funding reductions. No district would be immune from these devastating cutbacks, with many facing an early end to the school year.
Public schools aren’t alone in harm’s way. The huge (and growing) hole in Michigan’s budget could also force a wide swath of cuts in state services that all citizens depend on.
We believe increasing revenue is the only viable way out of this financial crisis. That would require bold—and brave—action by legislators who are letting the state and its residents slip into further economic misery rather than risk their political skins in the 2008 general election.
The Republican-controlled Senate, in particular, has resisted raising revenues, no doubt thinking ahead to the 2008 general election where candidates can run on a “we didn’t raise taxes” platform.
There’s no excuse for politicians who take this “shut-down and slash” approach to solving Michigan’s financial mess at the expense of our families and children.
We strongly believe that the key to lifting Michigan out of the budget hole and to securing the state’s future economic prosperity requires a major investment in education and in our children.
Some of the same politicians who claimed education as their No. 1 priority are now looking the other way when that investment is so desperately needed.
We elect politicians to make the tough decisions in tough times, not the safe decisions that might help them get reelected. As school employees, let us not forget who stood with us and supported our students when it comes time to cast ballots in 2008.