MEA Votes

Michiganders are mad, and rightly so.

Partisan bickering and political posturing by a few charged with leading our state into a brighter future has led to drastic and draconian cuts most effecting our children, seniors and the poor. With news several weeks ago about the state Legislature's decision to cut per-pupil funding $165, we were all sent reeling. For the school districts in less fortunate areas, it could mean the difference keeping the lights on and not. Staff in some districts were informed that up to 100 people could be laid off mid-year as a result. Larger class sizes, smaller staff, and less resources means that our kids are the biggest losers.

Fotunately earlier this week, Governor Granholm used her line-item veto and cut more than $54 million from the budget, forcing legislators to go back to the drawing board to figure out other ways to balance our state's budget. As MEA's president Iris Salters commented, this move by the Governor highlights the need for a fundamental change in our antiquated tax system.

“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.”

While our children, educational staff, and Michigan's future are all held hostage in a game that can only be described as political Russian roulette, we can only hope that the Legislature heeds the wake up call.