Letter to Members
We must fight for funding
Make
no mistake. Michigan is in the
midst of an education financial crisis
unlike any we’ve seen before.
Michigan’s lack of stable, consistent funding for our K-12 public schools, community colleges and universities at a time when it’s so desperately needed seriously hampers our goal to deliver a world class education to each of our students.
Of course, this isn’t news to MEA members—you’re the ones in the middle of this financial crisis. You see it, you feel it, you live it—every day.
Schools shortchanged
We’ve detailed before how students attending our K-12 public schools and colleges and universities are being shortchanged by the severe funding cuts of recent years.
Now, on top of this, comes word that state revenues are running below estimates and that a reduction in per pupil spending for K-12 schools looms large yet this year. Some K-12 districts already fear they will fall short of funds to make it through the year.
What next?
Where do we go, then, in the aftermath of November’s defeat of Proposal 5, the Education Funding Guarantee that would have helped us out of this mess?
Clearly, we must immediately renew our fight to secure stable education funding.
A top priority for the Legislature this year must be to plug the gaping $2 billion hole left in the 2007-08 general fund budget when it repealed the Single Business Tax without finding replacement revenue.
This was a reckless act by lawmakers, because the SBT accounts for more than 23 percent of the state’s general fund budget. Their action endangers school funding as well as many other important services provided by the state.
We remember the naysayers who opposed the Education Funding Guarantee bellowing that its passage would cut into funding for necessary public services, including fire and police protection. Isn’t it interesting that we didn’t hear a peep from them when the SBT was eliminated, threatening those same services?
Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s reasonable business tax plan proposal would generate $2.4 billion a year and will serve as a starting point for the Legislature to seriously consider how to replace the lost revenue.
Critical juncture
We’ve reached a critical juncture in the ongoing effort to secure funding needed to prepare our students for the new global economy.
Without question, a strong investment in education is key to doubling the number of college graduates in Michigan over the next 10 years and to rejuvenating Michigan’s economy.
Now, we must convince legislators that an investment in education is the wisest course to take for our students, for our economy and for our future.
One of the challenges we face will be to educate ourselves, the general public and lawmakers on how changing the state’s tax structures and policies can stimulate economic growth and help secure adequate funding for our schools. (See the story, “Investing in K-12 public education pays,”)
Join the fight for funding
Today, we ask MEA members from every part of the state to join the fight for necessary funding. Help us by opening the lines of communication with your legislators and by building relationships with them so they know your concerns, your needs and the needs of your students.
We must take the offensive. Now is the time to stand up for your students, stand up for Michigan families, stand up for your colleagues, and stand up for our profession. Michigan’s future depends on it.