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Bernero to MEA members: ‘This is the fight of our lives’
Gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero took his campaign to MEA’s Summer Leadership Conference in Saginaw on Tuesday, urging union members to vote in Tuesday’s primary election.
“This is the fight of our lives,” Bernero said, citing frequent attacks on public education, a sagging economy, and the need to invest in Michigan’s future. “…We’re going to win this thing. We can do this with the power of the people.”
DeVos and Co. playing in a Democratic primary?
An interesting development coming out of the Ann Arbor area – the Dick DeVos-backed Great Lakes Education Project is sending out mailings supporting a Senate candidate...in the Democratic primary.
GLEP has funded at least three mailings to Washtenaw County residents supporting state Rep. Pam Byrnes in her race against state Rep. Rebekah Warren for the empty 18th state Senate seat.
But why is GLEP, a pro-voucher, anti-public school organization founded by a right-wing billionaire, doing mailings in a Democratic primary?
The answer is pretty clear – they must believe that Warren’s commitment to public schools, public school employees and public school students runs counter to their organization’s long-standing attacks on these institutions.
And that’s exactly why Warren has MEA’s full support as we approach the primary next Tuesday, Aug. 3.
Virg for Governor Rallies on Monday in G.R., Sault, Holland and T.C.
With the primary a little over a week away, it's time for all of us to stand up and show our support for Virg Bernero as our next governor.
On Monday, Bernero supporters will rally in four Michigan cities -- Grand Rapids, Holland, Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City -- from 4:30 to 6 p.m. More rallies are in the works in those cities and more for Aug. 2, the eve of the primary election.
From one MEA member to another -- Why I'm supporting Virg Bernero
MEA members across Michigan are standing up in support of Virg Bernero and working hard to ensure he wins the Tuesday, Aug. 3 primary. One member, Carrie Chobanian of Plymouth-Canton EA, took the time to write a great letter supporting Bernero's candidacy for governor -- we wanted to share it with all of you!
August primary: Major differences among candidates
If health insurance -- and the right to collectively bargain whether you have insurance and which plan you have -- is important to you, then you'll want to vote in the Aug. 3 primary.
If health insurance isn't your hot button issue, how about school funding, jobs, outsourcing, or workers' rights?
Because when it comes to these issues -- ranked as important by MEA members statewide -- there's just one candidate who strongly supports public education students and the people who teach and work with them.
That candidate is Democrat Virg Bernero, recommended by MEA in the Aug. 3 election.
Phonebank volunteers needed to help Get Out the Vote for Aug. 3
The primary election is just two weeks away! To ensure that friends of public education win on Aug. 3 and move on to November's general election, we need to ensure MEA members get out and VOTE!
Are you interested in volunteering your time to make calls to members about MEA's recommended candidates? Sign up now via this online form.
Podcast: Virg Bernero talks about school funding
Listen to an MEA Votes podcast with gubernatorial hopeful Virg Bernero, MEA's recommended candidate in the Aug. 3 primary.
In this 13-minute podcast, Bernero discusses education funding and why it's so important that the state provide adequate, equitable, and stable aid for public schools.
Volunteer for Virg!
The primary is just 20 days away! Now is the time to stand up and help Virg Bernero on the path to victory on Tuesday, August 3.
This weekend, there will be large volunteer efforts making phone calls and knocking doors in support of Bernero, including activity in Ann Arbor, Pontiac, Oakland County, Flint and other communities across the state. If you are willing to come out and help, please send an email to lmyers@mea.org and jtobel@mea.org -- someone from the Bernero campaign will be in touch to schedule you for a volunteer shift.
The Dillon Plan – One Year Later: A lesson in stagnation
A story in today’s Gongwer newsletter noted the one-year anniversary of the introduction of Speaker Andy Dillon’s proposal for a mandatory state-run health insurance pool for public employees.
There’s nothing much to celebrate though. After that full year, the proposal is still stewing in the House, with many lawmakers still uncertain on the basic numbers of Dillon’s plan – including proof of how (or even if) it will save the state money.
Very well said, Ms. Zemmer
A letter in this morning's Detroit News says it better than I ever could...
Bernero Q&A - Outsourcing and privatization
Gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero opposes the outsourcing of public school employees' jobs to private companies -- and he supports efforts to reform state law that prohibits collective bargaining over the issue.
MEA Votes recently asked Bernero questions about outsourcing. Here are his answers:
Bernero Q&A - Health insurance
Will Virg Bernero protect your right to collectively bargain health insurance?
In a word, yes.
There's a stark difference between gubernatorial hopeful Virg Bernero and his primary opponent Andy Dillon.
Democratic candidates enage in "Great Debate"
Democrats Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon faced off in a June 28 gubernatorial primary debate -- and it's now available for online, on-demand viewing.
The debate was sponsored by the Great Debates 2010 coalition, of which MEA is a part.
Enough is Enough! - About 7,000 MEA members, supporters rally at the Capitol
About 7,000 proud union members and their supporters traveled to Lansing June 24 for a massive MEA rally on the Capitol lawn. Their message was clear: Enough is Enough!
The event highlighted the need for adequate, stable, and equitable funding for public education. Rally-goers urged lawmakers to stop attacks on public education and instead invest in Michigan’s future through education.
Speakers included gubernatorial hopeful Virg Bernero, teacher-turned lawmaker Rep. Jennifer Haase, and others. The Enough is Enough campaign doesn’t end with the rally – this energy will carry through to the primary and general election...and beyond.
For more coverage, go to www.mea.org/enough.
Lansing State Journal editorial takes aim at holes in Dillon health plan
As Speaker Andy Dillon’s gubernatorial campaign pushes forward, the media is starting to push back on his outlandish claims about his mandatory state-run health plan for public employees. From Tuesday’s Lansing State Journal editorial page:
When Dillon first launched this idea, an LSJ editorial stated, "House Speaker Andy Dillon has a good concept."
It also stated, "The key problem right now is that Dillon and his supporters don't have the details to carry the argument."
Nearly a year later, that's still the case.
MEA co-sponsors 2010 Great Debates
MEA is one of 20 co-sponsors from across the political spectrum supporting the Center for Michigan's 2010 Great Debates, a series of public television debates featuring gubernatorial candidates and candidates for dozens of key legislative races. In this critical election year, the Center for Michigan, MEA and many other organizations are committed to frank discussions about our state's challenges that provide voters with the ability to make informed choices come August and November.
MEA recommends Bernero for Governor
In a press release today, MEA announced it's recommendation in the 2010 gubernatorial race -- Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero!
Great things happen when the district and teachers work together
A school in Rhode Island that gained national attention after it fired it's entire teaching staff after students returned with low testing numbers, is now changing its tune and has rehired back the 87 person staff.
Bishop, Dillon and Co. sell out school employees
Lansing politicians from both sides of the aisle decided late last night to balance their state budget problems on the backs of middle-class teachers and support staff, instead of working on real reforms to move Michigan forward.
The Senate, led by Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, and the House (also led by Bishop, although state Rep. Andy Dillon is “technically” Speaker of the House) passed “compromise” bills that call for school employees to pay 3% of their salary for retirement benefits -- that may not be there when they retire!
Lawmakers fail Michigan's students, again
In another devastating blow to Michigan's children, lawmakers in Lansing last night passed the Retirement bill that will not only have an adverse effect on current educational staff looking to retire, it will also cost Michigan schools much more money in the long run.
