MEA Votes

Dear MEA member,

I want to thank all MEA members who participated in the 2010 election. Whether you voted, volunteered for a campaign, contributed to MEA-PAC, or helped in some other way, your involvement is appreciated.

The results from Tuesday night were certainly disappointing in many races. We did have victories, with 53 percent of MEA-recommended candidates winning elections in races from Congress to the state Legislature to a variety of local races. But there are many new leaders coming into office who we did not support, but with whom we need to forge relationships in order to accomplish what's best for public education, public school employees and, of course, our students.

MEA stands ready to work with new leaders in Lansing and in Washington, D.C. -- regardless of their political affiliation. As we've done for decades, MEA will work to put students first and ensure that education is the engine that moves Michigan -- and America -- forward.

Whatever your political leanings, we can probably agree that our new lawmakers have a difficult job ahead to create a climate that encourages job growth, the top concern among voters on Tuesday. And, we can all agree that reinventing Michigan will require an educated workforce and good schools.

MEA's 155,000 proud union members can and will be part of this important work ahead.

Sincerely,
Iris K. Salters
President, MEA

One more day...

Till the end of the ads!

Till the robocalls stop!

And, most importantly, till voters decide who will lead our state out of this economic nightmare!

For Michigan – and Michigan’s public schools – to succeed, we need strong leadership from the elected officials who will be chosen tomorrow. Make your voice heard in support of MEA-recommended candidates who will make public education a top priority – PLEASE VOTE tomorrow. The stakes couldn’t be higher...

MEA has been a proud partner in two great programs that are trying to educate voters this fall.

Working with a variety of Michigan progressive organizations, MEA is a partner in www.mivoterguide.org.

And, with partners from across the political spectrum, MEA was a sponsor of the 2010 Great Debates series through the Center for Michigan, which included the ONLY debate between gubernatorial candidates Virg Bernero and Rick Snyder.

We hope you use these great resources, as well as this Web site, to inform your choices as you head to the polls on Tuesday.

Join with your union brothers and sisters at a Get Out the Vote rally and door-to-door effort on Saturday morning in Monroe:

Rally at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30
UAW Hall - 281 Detroit Ave. in Monroe

GOTV walk to follow for Congressman John Dingell (15th Congressional), Rep. Kate Ebli (56th State House) and Mike Smith (55th State House)

Speakers to include Congressman Dingell, Rep. Ebli, Mr. Smith, AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney and MEA Vice President Steve Cook.

If you can't make it to Monroe on Saturday, please take some time to help a candidate in your area. Every voice matters as we approach Election Day on Tuesday -- make yours heard!

The journey to rebuild Michigan's future begins on Election Day, writes MEA President Iris K. Salters, in her monthly column in The Detroit News. Don't miss the opportunity to make your voice heard Tuesday!

Tuesday's election is all about jobs -- and Democrat Virg Bernero is a proven job-creator, according to The Detroit News.

The newspaper yesterday touted Bernero's job creation record with a banner headline, "Bernero’s jobs claim not just hype." The gubernatorial hopeful created 6,000 jobs as mayor of Lansing -- a figure that would be higher if positions that were kept from leaving the city were counted, too, a newspaper investigation found.

Need some ideas for what election activities you can do in the waning days of this campaign season? Courtesy of the BFCL Local Presidents Academy, here are some ideas that are working in locals statewide...

The state Supreme Court races are always important, but the contests are especially critical this year because the justices could decide redistricting disputes that will impact elections for years.

Michigan voters will choose two justices -- the races will be listed on the nonpartisan portion of the ballot. MEA recommends Justice Alton Thomas Davis and Judge Denise Langford Morris for Supreme Court.

When you go to the polls next week, the impact of your choices will be felt long after the terms of those elected expire.

Those elected to the state Legislature and the governor's office will oversee redistricting, a decennial process that will impact elections for the next decade. And because redistricting disputes are sometimes settled in court, it matters who is elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, too.

Opponents of public education recognize the high stakes in this year's election, particularly when it comes to the state House of Representatives. Control of that chamber is up for grabs -- and that has led to many misleading and downright ridiculous attacks on many current and prospective representatives who will stand up for public schools, school employees and students.

One of the most popular attacks on MEA-recommended candidates is that they support "out of control" spending in Lansing.

Well, if spending is out of control, Michigan's schools would sure like to know about it!