Education Funding in Flux

Dec 08, 2019

National Education Association

"Fiscal year 2019 ended on September 30, 2019, without Congress having passed the FY2020 budget bill. Instead, Congress punted on a yearlong funding bill by instead passing a short-term continuing resolution or CR that funds the government at FY2019 levels through November 21, 2019.

In June, the U.S. House of Representatives succeeding in passing a FY2020 funding bill that included an increase of $11.8 billion or six percent increase for Labor-HHS-Education. Notable funding increases for education over FY2019 levels included Title I and IDEA both receiving $1 billion increases, Title II funding was increased by $500 million, full-service community schools was increased to $40 million – more than double the current funding level, and the maximum Pell grant award was increased by $150.

In sharp contrast, the Senate attempted to take up appropriations bills in September with little success. In fact, the Labor HHS-Education bill was pulled from the schedule the day it was to be marked up by the committee. Instead, the bill was released without an opportunity for committee members to offer changes. The overall allocated increase to the bill was only an estimated .01 percent – essentially freezing most education funding. Notable changes in education funding from FY2019 levels included flat funding (or no increase) for Title I, Title II and IDEA, a $50 million increase for Title IV, a $20 million increase for Charter Schools, elimination of the full-service community schools program, and the maximum Pell grant award was increased by $135."National Education Association.

NEA/MEA-Retired PAC Drive

Nov 25, 2019

To MEA/NEA-Retired Lifetime Members Only:

Did you receive your Michigan Retirement Report with a NEA/MEA PAC envelope? NEA/MEA-Retired PAC donations are easy to make. Members can choose to use the PAC envelope or go online https://pac.mymea.org/. Donations can be one time or continuing. The dollar amount is up to each member as well as whether a member wishes to donate to NEA, MEA, or both.

NEA/MEA-Retired members historically have turned out and supported MEA/NEA in the fight to protect public schools and public school retirees. It will be vital once again for NEA/MEA-Retired members to step up to the plate and support pro-public education candidates and issues the 2020 elections.

Can NEA/MEA-Retired count on you for a PAC donation? NEA/MEA-Retired wants to remind members to vote for pro-public education candidates and issues during the 2020 elections either in person or by absentee ballot.

Thank you for supporting Public Education and Public School Retirees. It is greatly appreciated.
 

Jeanne Hansen
NEA/MEA-Retired PAC Captain

https://pac.mymea.org/?fbclid=IwAR2AEYxjPz4Gu1Eb5n9JEteIItB_sxz-0ima_jDCUHHGkq37NrRmNeICbfM

National Education Support Professionals Day!

Nov 20, 2019

As part of American Education Week, today is National Education Support Professionals Day! Get resources to celebrate the contributions of our ESP at https://bit.ly/2XDw8gx. #WeLoveOurESPs #AEW2019

MEA-Retired President's Conclave

Nov 15, 2019

On Thursday, November 14, MEA-Retired held its annual President’s Conclave training.  This year MEA-Retired invited Chapter Presidents to bring a guest from their local chapter. Presidents were asked to invite someone who is fairly new to retirement and has the potential, or interest, in becoming an emerging leader within the MEA-Retired organization.  In attendance at the training were approximately 30 chapter presidents from all over the State of Michigan, including three from the Upper Peninsula. Along with our Presidents, we welcomed more than 15 guests and introduced them to MEA-Retired and how our organization works.  The meeting focused on helping Chapter Presidents about the importance of social media and how to capture a bigger audience.

Agenda topics covered:

Recap: Summer’s MEA-Retired Vision-Setting Activity        

Review of MEA-Retired Goals(2019-2022)

PAC Drive scheduled

Quick Tech Check

21st Century Communication Skills                  

Optum Rx changes for Medicare Part D

Nov 14, 2019

Those of you who utilize Optum Rx for your Medicare Part D (prescription) coverage should have received detailed information about the changes in your plan effective January 1-December 31, 2020. Please make sure that you read this information, and if you have any questions or concerns, contact OptumRx Member Services. Phone (toll-free): 1-866-443-1095 TTY users: 711 Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Website: www.optumrx.com