MEA Votes

MEA participated in two different calls for real solutions to the budget crisis on Tuesday, while legislative leaders inched closer to a budget deal that is no bargain for anyone else in the state.

Joining other education groups, MEA signed on to a call to Michigan’s legislators to reform our antiquated tax system and fully invest in public schools. The release cites Senate Fiscal Agency director Gary Olson's comments regarding the importance of reforming our tax system to our state's fiscal health, especially in these tough economic times. See the PDF attached below for the groups' statement.

In addition, MEA is one of 26 groups supporting A Better Michigan Future, a citizen action group calling on our leaders in Lansing to enact reforms and long-term fixes to our revenue system that will break the cycle of budget woes we face in Michigan. On Tuesday, that group put out a press release blasting the rumored budget deal between the House and Senate leadership that would enact a Senate plan to slash billions of dollars from important programs – including millions from public education:

Citizens Group Issues Sharp Warning To House Majority -- Reports That Democrats Support Senate Cuts Prompts Strong Reaction

LANSING, MI--A coalition supporting government and financial reforms issued a sharp warning today to Michigan state House majority Democrats against adopting the state Senate’s plan to slash $1.2 billion for schools, public safety, Michigan’s Promise grant and the state’s social safety net.

“The idea that the state House would simply adopt the Senate’s draconian cuts is unacceptable in any form,” said Frank Houston of Common Cause, one of 26 groups that make up A Better Michigan Future campaign. “We don’t want to believe that instead of defending the core principles, values and programs the House majority was elected on, they would instead take Michigan off a cliff and into the abyss of the Senate’s budget. “

"The Senate's budget breaks our promise to college students, cuts police and fire protection, vital senior citizens programs, schools and early childhood development programs, pollution protection, immunizations and shreds the social safety net at a time when Michigan's families are suffering greatly," said Steven Cook, vice president of the Michigan Education Association. "The House majority needs to know the groups that are part of A Better Michigan Future - as well as thousands of their constituents back home - strongly oppose any decision to embrace the Senate budget plan."

A Better Michigan Future has proposed a series of reforms aimed at stopping harmful budget cuts. Those proposals included eliminating unfair tax loopholes that have benefited large corporations and special interests for decades, expanding the sales tax to luxury items, and reforming Michigan’s income tax.

A Better Michigan Future is encouraging lawmakers and citizens to support long-term reforms that ensure investment in our state’s future, building a better quality of life for all. The reforms include auditing state contracts and tax abatements for efficiencies, offering increased government transparency and accountability, and modernizing our tax system so that it is more fair, adequate and stable. The complete reform proposals are at www.abettermichiganfuture.org.