Tomorrow is Wednesday, April 13th, and there is a RALLY in Lansing at the State Capitol! There is a later speaker's schedule to accomodate those who can travel to Lansing after work!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 -
We ARE the People - Defend the Middle Class Rally
-- -----Let the politicians know that WE ARE THE PEOPLE, and it's time to start protecting the middle class - not the CEO's
Where: State Capitol Building, Lansing
When: Protest and Legislative Action from 1 to 6:30 pm
**Speaking programs AT 2 pm **Second Speaking programs at 5:30 pm
Click Here for the FLYER
If you can not make the rally, be ready to make April 13th "LEGISLATIVE BLAST" DAY!!!
----Return to this site tomorrow to get information to email the representatives in our State Legislature!
----Just imagine our representatives get 800 emails at once, ALL from WALLED LAKE!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Judge Rules 3% Health Care Deduction Unconstitutional!
Yesterday Michigan Court of Claims Judge James Giddings ruled that because current teachers aren't guaranteed health care benefits when they retire, asking them to pay 3% of their pay is "arbitrary and capricious". He also went on to say that the State Legislature was unconsitutionally seizing "property" (aka, our wages)without due process.
The state is expected to appeal the ruling and as of Monday night, it was still unclear what would happen in terms of the payments that have already been taken from teacher pay. Due to a court injuntion, the payments were being held in escrow until a decision was made regarding the legality of the law. It is expected that the money will remain in escrow while the appeals process is being followed. It is not clear at this time whether the payments will continue to be deducted in the future.
This is definitely a bit of good news for teachers.
However, the rhetoric has begun in Lansing with some officials claiming they will now need to charge the schools MORE $$$ to cover retiree costs. This really is a total falsehood, as the funds deducted by the state from employee checks has NOT been going toward retiree health care at all. It has been held, as previously mentioned, in escrow pending court decisions. Earlier the state had already announced that they were charging school districts 4% more for retirement costs, bringing the total charged to schools about 24%. Again, they are just laying blame to teachers for this increase.
The state is expected to appeal the ruling and as of Monday night, it was still unclear what would happen in terms of the payments that have already been taken from teacher pay. Due to a court injuntion, the payments were being held in escrow until a decision was made regarding the legality of the law. It is expected that the money will remain in escrow while the appeals process is being followed. It is not clear at this time whether the payments will continue to be deducted in the future.
This is definitely a bit of good news for teachers.
However, the rhetoric has begun in Lansing with some officials claiming they will now need to charge the schools MORE $$$ to cover retiree costs. This really is a total falsehood, as the funds deducted by the state from employee checks has NOT been going toward retiree health care at all. It has been held, as previously mentioned, in escrow pending court decisions. Earlier the state had already announced that they were charging school districts 4% more for retirement costs, bringing the total charged to schools about 24%. Again, they are just laying blame to teachers for this increase.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Michigan Legislature has gone on VACATION for the next two weeks, but it is NOT time for us to let down our guard!
Our FOES have spent years putting out a message to the public that has been ANTI- Union, ANTI-teacher, and ANTI-democracy. It has taken them years. They are taking funds that belong to K-12 Education, putting it into the General Fund and giving $2 Billion dollars in tax breaks to business!
We need to start getting our WORD out there as well. Sometimes all that takes is having our BODIES where they can be seen and letting someone else do the messaging.
For all of you who will still be in town, here are TWO easy-to-get-to, easy-to-do ways to show your feelings about the legislative attacks on educational funding and bargaining rights. It is no accident that they are taking place on the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death.
First Event:(I’m going here!)
IN ANN ARBOR WHERE GOVERNOR SNYDER LIVES!!!!
Monday, April 4th
The NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION Rally
Where: University of Michigan Campus in Ann Arbor!
*****At Ingalls Mall - Ingalls Mall is by the Bell Tower, near Rackham Hall and Hill Auditorium.
*****On Washington Street between State and Fletcher
When: Noon to 1 PM
Why:
1) To affirm Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision on the anniversary of his assassination
2) To honor his support of LABOR
3) To protest the current assaults on democratic rights and bargaining rights
Who: Local MEA affiliates, Local police and fire, AFSCME, Teamsters, WEIU,
Second Event:(I’m going here, too!)
IN WEST BLOOMFIELD at the high school!
Monday, April 4th
The NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION Candle Light Rally!
Where: West Bloomfield High School Parking Lot
When: 8 PM to 9 PM (begin arriving at 7:30)
Why:
1) To affirm Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision on the anniversary of his assassination
2) To protest the current assaults on education and WBEA
Who: All Region 7 MEA affiliates are invited
Bring: A Flashlight or Candle
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Lisa Brown Stands UP for Educational Funding!
Walled Lake Members!I am reprinting a message that appeared on Rep. Lisa Brown's, WL's State Representative, website. She is supporting a plan to prevent the raid of money from the School Aid Fund! Finally some good news!
CLICK the link below to watch the VIDEO of her press conference (just short of 3 minutes), and then CLICK on the "fightschoolcuts" link to CYBER LOBBY!!!!! Easy and quick to do!
Also, write Lisa Brown and thank her for her efforts toward preserving funding for public schools! Web links are at the bottom of this post!
FROM LISA BROWN, Democrat, State Representative, District 39 (including Walled Lake, West Bloomfield, and Bloomfield Hills)
Dear education supporters,
As you know, certain politicians are trying to balance the budget on the backs of our children by raiding the School Aid Fund. Please check out video from an event where I recently announced my support for a plan to prevent this from happening. Money for K-12 education should go where it belongs - our schools.
By visiting www.fightschoolcuts.com, you can sign a petition and help rally support against these cuts. When you get to the site, click on the green square on the bottom right hand side of the site that says "Support Our Schools".
Sincerely,
State Representative Lisa Brown
39th House District
State Representative D -Lisa Brown
Phone: 517-373-1799Fax: 517-373-8361
lisabrown@house.mi.gov
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
TAKE ACTION NOW!!!
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid is meeting today at 2 PM to listen to public input about proposed budget cuts for schools. They began yesterday and scheduled another meeting today.
School districts face a $470 per pupil cut on top of an increase in mandated retirement costs of $230 per pupil. Those numbers amount to the largest reduction in per pupil funding ever. This loss of revenue doesn’t include the ARRA fund and EduJob funds that were temporary stop gaps provided by the Federal government!
This "flys in the face" of the wishes of Michigan citizens: Voters approved the Michigan Lottery in 1972 and Proposal A in 1994 with the understanding that the funds generated by these measures would be dedicated to SUPPORTING EDUCATION. The voters wanted money put into a special fund where it was protected from raids such as Governor Snyder's. It was called the State School Aid Fund.
At the same time the governor is taking $900 million AWAY from the State School Aid Fund (meant for K-12 Education), he is proposing tax cuts for businesses that would cut $1.8 BILLION in tax revenue. Essentially he is giving School money to businesses!
Is that your wish? It was NOT the wish of the voters! However, his proposed CUTS TO EDUCATION WOULD NOT NEED TO TAKE PLACE if it weren't for his almost TWO BILLION DOLLAR TAX cut to Michigan businesses. Having high quality public schools is not a partisan issue. High quality public education is a necessity for every citizen, and should be the priority of all citizens.
MEA members are urged to immediately contact your state representatives and senators about the proposed budget.
A suggested letter:
Dear State Legislator,
In 1972 citizens of Michigan approved the Michigan Lottery, and in 994 they approved Proposal A to insure that funding for education was protected.
Now our schools stand to have anywhere from $700 and $1000 less in funding per student due to the actions of our Governor! Raiding the school aid fund, while giving businesses almost $2 Billion dollars, totally disregards the wishes of the voters who determined funding for schools in the elections of 1972 and 1994.
You must honor the wishes of the public sector by not allowing the raid on the School State Aid Fund to the benefit of Michigan businesses!
Thank you!
Please be sure to use your HOME EMAILS and/or CELL or HOME PHONES!
State Senator Mike Kowall R-White Lake Twp.
517-373-1758
SenMKowall@senate.michigan.gov
State Representative D -Vicki Barnett
Phone: 517-373-1793 Fax: 517-373-8501
vickibarnett@house.mi.gov
State Representative D -Lisa Brown
Phone: 517-373-1799Fax: 517-373-8361
lisabrown@house.mi.gov
State Representative R -Hugh Crawford
Phone: 517-373-0827Fax: 517-373-5873
hughcrawford@house.mi.gov
State Representative R -Eileen Kowall
Phone: 517-373-2616 Fax: 517-373-5843
eileenkowall@house.mi.gov
At the same time the governor is taking $900 million AWAY from the State School Aid Fund (meant for K-12 Education), he is proposing tax cuts for businesses that would cut $1.8 BILLION in tax revenue. Essentially he is giving School money to businesses!
Is that your wish? It was NOT the wish of the voters! However, his proposed CUTS TO EDUCATION WOULD NOT NEED TO TAKE PLACE if it weren't for his almost TWO BILLION DOLLAR TAX cut to Michigan businesses. Having high quality public schools is not a partisan issue. High quality public education is a necessity for every citizen, and should be the priority of all citizens.
MEA members are urged to immediately contact your state representatives and senators about the proposed budget.
A suggested letter:
Dear State Legislator,
In 1972 citizens of Michigan approved the Michigan Lottery, and in 994 they approved Proposal A to insure that funding for education was protected.
Now our schools stand to have anywhere from $700 and $1000 less in funding per student due to the actions of our Governor! Raiding the school aid fund, while giving businesses almost $2 Billion dollars, totally disregards the wishes of the voters who determined funding for schools in the elections of 1972 and 1994.
You must honor the wishes of the public sector by not allowing the raid on the School State Aid Fund to the benefit of Michigan businesses!
Thank you!
Please be sure to use your HOME EMAILS and/or CELL or HOME PHONES!
State Senator Mike Kowall R-White Lake Twp.
517-373-1758
SenMKowall@senate.michigan.gov
State Representative D -Vicki Barnett
Phone: 517-373-1793 Fax: 517-373-8501
vickibarnett@house.mi.gov
State Representative D -Lisa Brown
Phone: 517-373-1799Fax: 517-373-8361
lisabrown@house.mi.gov
State Representative R -Hugh Crawford
Phone: 517-373-0827Fax: 517-373-5873
hughcrawford@house.mi.gov
State Representative R -Eileen Kowall
Phone: 517-373-2616 Fax: 517-373-5843
eileenkowall@house.mi.gov
Who Backs Economic Policy in Michigan?
Report on Mackinac Center and other news on Economic Policies in Michigan
Rachel Maddow of MSNBC talks about the Michigan Governor’s attack on the unemployed and its effect on the economy. OF PARTCULAR INTEREST, in the first few minutes of the tape, Rachel Maddow talks about who funds the Mackinac Center! You may want to know!
Click on HERE!
Rachel Maddow of MSNBC talks about the Michigan Governor’s attack on the unemployed and its effect on the economy. OF PARTCULAR INTEREST, in the first few minutes of the tape, Rachel Maddow talks about who funds the Mackinac Center! You may want to know!
Click on HERE!
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Democrats today.......despite the 2 week vacation
As reported in this morning's Free Press and Detroit News -
State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D), the senate minority leader, reported today that the Democratic lawmakers will introduce a constitutional amendment to protect the money in the state School Aid Fund from being raided by Governor Snyder.
Governor Snyder has proposed a budget cut of $470 per student. YET, he is using almost $900 Million of the School Aid Fund to help fund community colleges and universities.
Sen. Whitmer held a press conference this morning and emphasized that voters approved the Michigan Lottery in 1972 and Proposal A in 1994 with the understanding that the funds generated by these measures would be dedicated to SUPPORTING EDUCATION. The voters wanted money put into a special fund where it was protected from raids such as Governor Snyder's.
At the same time the governor is taking $900 million AWAY from K-12 Education, he is proposing tax reforms for business that would cut $1.8 BILLION in tax revenue. He claims this is needed to improve the business climate in Michigan.
However, he is proposing CUTS TO EDUCATION that WOULD NOT NEED TO TAKE PLACE if it weren't for his almost TWO BILLION DOLLAR TAX cut to Michigan businesses.
State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D), the senate minority leader, reported today that the Democratic lawmakers will introduce a constitutional amendment to protect the money in the state School Aid Fund from being raided by Governor Snyder.
Governor Snyder has proposed a budget cut of $470 per student. YET, he is using almost $900 Million of the School Aid Fund to help fund community colleges and universities.
Sen. Whitmer held a press conference this morning and emphasized that voters approved the Michigan Lottery in 1972 and Proposal A in 1994 with the understanding that the funds generated by these measures would be dedicated to SUPPORTING EDUCATION. The voters wanted money put into a special fund where it was protected from raids such as Governor Snyder's.
At the same time the governor is taking $900 million AWAY from K-12 Education, he is proposing tax reforms for business that would cut $1.8 BILLION in tax revenue. He claims this is needed to improve the business climate in Michigan.
However, he is proposing CUTS TO EDUCATION that WOULD NOT NEED TO TAKE PLACE if it weren't for his almost TWO BILLION DOLLAR TAX cut to Michigan businesses.
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