MEA Votes

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!

Dear fellow educators,

As a life-long Michigan resident, public school teacher and parent, I am proud to stand by my union in support of Virg Bernero for governor. Virg stands with us when he says education is the key to putting Michigan back to work. He knows that you can't put our state back on track by nickel-and-diming our future. That is why I will be voting for Virg Bernero in the Democratic primary on August 3rd.

As governor, I know that Virg will not allow the Legislature to balance a budget by slashing the promise of Michigan's future. In June, he rallied with thousands of educators in Lansing and said, "Enough is enough." He is resolute in his message: we must protect Michigan schools from further budget cuts. He has spoken openly about how successful schools depend on predictable and reliable school funding. And he opposes shifting money from the school aid fund to other areas. Virg gets it: he knows we cannot have strong schools and vibrant communities without stable and reliable school funding.

As I got to know Virg on the campaign trail, I saw his commitment to public school employees. He values educators. Unlike other candidates, Virg supports the right of teachers to collectively bargain for their benefits. He opposes insulting legislation that would cut teacher salaries by 5 percent. After a year of feeling like our future is under attack by politicians in the capital, it means a lot to me that we have a candidate who will stand strong for public school employees and public schools.

Virg Bernero stands for many things that are important to my future as a teacher. But if you are like me, your concern is not merely for the future of your job, but for the future of our students and our children. Michigan's prosperity depends on that commitment. We want our kids to grow up in a state that invests in them, where students are acknowledged as our future, and the work their teachers do is valued. Virg knows putting Michigan back to work means providing our children with a first class public school education and preparing them for the jobs of the future. I hope you will join me on August 3rd to cast a vote for Virg Bernero and a vote for Michigan's future.

Your support is crucial to making sure Michigan gets the Governor it deserves, and Virg Bernero wins on August 3rd and again in November. We have so much to lose if we don't help Virg win this fight. Won't you please join me in supporting Virg Bernero for governor? I know times are tough. We are all fighting for our future, but every donation of $10, $15 or $25 is an investment in our future.

Please take a minute to mark your calendar, contribute at www.votevirg.com, or order your absentee ballot. With your help, Michigan can be an education leader once again, and we can get back on a road to recovery. Vote Bernero on August 3rd!

Sincerely,
Carrie Chobanian
Proud Teacher -- Michigan Public Schools